Colossians 3
In this chapter, Paul focuses on what is really important in the Christian life.
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.
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
The first thing is to have the right attitude and priorities. Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, and you, being raised up with Christ, must look at things from God’s point of view. That’s what Jesus did when He was a man on this earth.
When you look at things from God’s point of view, a lot of things that appear important from an earthly view, become irrelevant. For example, in your secular job, if you are bothered because people above you are not as smart of you, and you think that you really should be in charge of them, looking at it from the eternal perspective will make it clear that being bothered by such things is totally irrelevant.
Similarly, if people speak evil of you, or make fun of you, or trouble you, when you look at it from the eternal perspective, you see that all these things are merely temporary afflictions, and once eternity comes, they become irrelevant, and therefore you can entrust yourself to God, and not trouble yourself to take revenge, or do the same thing to the source of your afflictions.
Focus on what God has called you to do, and let Him take care of the rest.
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.
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, {and} abusive speech from your mouth.
The next thing to focus on is self-control. Don’t wish for what God has not given you, and don’t do what incurs God’s wrath. That’s what Jesus did.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its {evil} practices,
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 –
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.
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.
The third thing is to focus on dealing properly towards others. Don’t lie to them. Don’t cheat them. Don’t be partial to certain types of people in the church because all are equal in God’s eyes. Forgive them. Do good to them. That’s what Jesus did.
14 Beyond all these things {put on} love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Love them all. Strive for unity. That is, don’t let your thoughts trap you into not wishing the very best for them at all things. They want the best for themselves, and so does God – and you unite yourself to that goal.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Be thankful for those whom God has given you for fellowship. Just as you don’t want your left arm fighting with your right arm, so also, Jesus doesn’t want you fighting with your brother – so make every effort to live in peace with your brother, even if you have to make a personal sacrifice, or suffer some inconvenience to keep the peace.
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.
The fourth thing is to use your spiritual gifts to bless those around you. That’s what Jesus did.
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.
Finally, the last (but not the least) of the general things, is to do all of the above out of gratitude towards God, and to make Jesus look awesome, and not for your own glory. That’s what Jesus did.
Next, we look at specific instructions.
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Isn’t it interesting that wives are asked to be subject to their husbands, but never the other way around? But it is fitting in the Lord to do so. It is not easy, but if you feel like you’ve just won the spiritual lottery then suddenly it is not so hard.
As a wife, if you have to choose between food / drink traditions or celebrating Christmas and being subject to your husband, choose the latter. That is what Paul is trying to say in this letter.
As a child, Jesus submitted to imperfect authority (His parents).
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
It is also interesting that husbands are asked to love their wives, but wives are never asked to love their husbands.
Husbands are usually tempted to be bitter towards their wives when they don’t get what they expect their wives to give, and it’s hard to love someone when you are bitter towards them. But, if you are focused on the things above, and looking forward to the hope of the gospel then it is suddenly not so hard.
As a husband, if you have to choose between keeping the Sabbath, or celebrating Christmas, and loving your wife, chose the latter. That is what Paul is trying to say in this letter.
Jesus, our example, loved the church, and a husband should love his wife in the same way.
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
God is really pleased with children who obey their parents even when they don’t want to. This is great incentive for children, who want to please God, to be obedient to their parents.
21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Fathers sometimes unnecessarily push their children too far. If instead, they give their children some room they may find that their children excel in ways that may surprise them.
22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who {merely} please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
The best approach is to work as if Jesus is your boss. Then you will do your best, even if your boss is imperfect in many ways. Trust that the righteous God will reward you in the proper way at the proper time.
25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Even if you are a believer, and your sins are all forgiven, if you do wrong, God will discipline you for it, and further, what you sow, you will reap too. So don’t take advantage of anyone, no matter how weak they are, for you won’t get away with it.
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