Colossians 3
Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set [to seek] your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. NIV
3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. NKJV
3:1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 3:2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, NET Bible
3:1 If then, you were raised with the Christ, seek the things above, where the Christ is, seated on the right hand of God, 3:2 mind the things above, not the things on the earth” Literal Standard Version
At the Top
When we view Christ next to His Father, there is power in prayer. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph 3:16). Through Christ there is forgiveness and “justification” (Acts 13:39) before God. Looking to Jesus is a worthy focus, with God the Father at Christ's right hand. This truth cannot be overstated in its importance and simplicity.
Since Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” and “all of [God’s] fullness dwells in him” (Col 1:15,19) and God is the “father of us all, who is over all and through all and in [you] all” (Eph 4:7), when we approach God in humble, trusting prayer, we can be “strengthened with all power” for “great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Prayer does call us to patience.
Thus, we can have “confidence” with boldness and assurance, “we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know [truly, really] know that he hears us—whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Jesus reminds us that our “Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matt 6:8).
Sometimes God denies answering our prayers, as we wish, telling us, “Not now, have patience.” We are not ready for His chosen assignment.
Sometimes God denies answering our prayers, as we wish, because He has something better for us. Something for which He has already given us the necessary opportunity and talent.
Sometimes God denies answering our prayers, as we wish, because he is calling us to do something that may not be our first choice.
Sometimes God denies answering our prayers because it is not in His timing. Thus, we are to “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Ps 27:14).
Sometimes God denies answering our prayers because our minds and hearts are on things of this earth. As James says, “when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure” (James 4:3 NLT).
Sometimes God denies answering our prayers because it is not His will for us. Thus, we learn to say: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Ps 143:10).
Sometimes God denies answering our prayers because it will not be good for us. Once, the mother of James and John came to ask Jesus if her two sons could sit beside him in his kingdom. Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you are asking” (Matt 20:22). Sometimes we don’t understand what we're really asking.
Sometimes God closes one door of opportunity we have prayed for, only to open another door of opportunity. When committed to God, we want to be in the place He has called and prepared for us. Yes, there is no better place in all the world.
Always remember God loves to answer our prayers, and thankfully, He is too good and wise in “His all-knowing” about us to grant us a request that would do us harm. Or would it result in “setting our minds…on earthly things” (3:1), at the loss of setting our minds on “things above” (3:1)?
All prayers asking for forgiveness are always answered, even before the words come out of your mouth.
At “the right hand of God (3:1), there is unlimited power to help and support, made available to us wandering pilgrims here on earth. “The Lord is with me; he is my helper” (Ps. 118:7). “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life” (Ps. 42:8).
During the day, “God is my helper” (Ps 54:4). Our reliable helper—one who is with us out of love, not obligation, duty, or required responsibility. When fear or dread overtakes our feelings, we are to look to Christ, who is next to God our Father, for guidance, direction, and their presence.
The Text
The NIV adds the word “hearts” (3:1) for specific emphasis. Yet this passage calls us to keep our whole life focused on God and His Son, the things of above. This is why Christ is portrayed at the right hand of God. Jesus has promised us, “Whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16), because through Jesus, God’s Son, we have access and favor to God the Father, who becomes “our Father who is in heaven” (Matt 6:9).
Since then, Therefore
Paul looks back to his previous section, where he declared, “since we were buried with him in baptism” and “through faith…raised with him from the dead” (Col. 2:12). Your habits of sin were cut away. God Himself “made you”—remade you, recreated you—to be “alive with Christ” (Col. 2:13). This happens through God’s Spirit, for “the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor 3:6).
This re-creation is not always instant. In some things it is, but often it unfolds gradually. A new love for God springs up within new believers. Sometimes it begins simply with the awareness that you love God, and over time it grows in intensity.
We believe from within our hearts, and new desires arise to honor God in our lives. We are led to confess certain sins so that we may be forgiven. This is one of the most common changes in new believers. We often need to confess our sins because we are more aware of their influence in our lives.
For spiritual growth, we must stay focused on what matters to God—on things above. If we spend hours in our free time on sports and Godless movies, the flame and passion to love God, prayer, and Scripture will diminish. Spiritually, we will make more mistakes, and our judgments may mislead us because we have distanced ourselves from “all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col. 1:9).
(1) Set Our Minds & Life
The Greek word translated “set” is zéteó, meaning to seek, search for, desire, investigate, and strive after. The NET Bible captures this sense well, translating it as “keep seeking” and “keep thinking.” The NIV offers a softer rendering, such as “set your hearts” or “set your minds.” By faith, we continually set our hearts, often throughout the day, on things above, for “the just shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4).
There must be movement—a direction—in our faith-filled thoughts. Our thinking should be purposeful, like a searchlight in the night focused on God. This focus guides us through the fog and swamp of this world, for “the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Yet if we are focused on Christ, there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
There is an intensity in the word seek—a desire to discover deeper truths, “things hidden since the creation of the world” (Matt. 13:35). This is where we want our minds to inquire: into “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people” (Col. 1:26), through the grace of God.
(2) Right Hand of God
First, it means that Jesus is in full fellowship with His Father; they are merged in heart and mind. “God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in him [His Son]” (Col 1:19). Together, they attend to human needs that cry out to them. From faith in Jesus, the Son of God, we receive all His Father’s blessings and righteousness. Called the “righteousness of God” (Rom 1:17; 2 Cor 5:21). Since our Savior is next to God the Father, so are we, because we are “alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom 6:11). So are we, yes, we are!
Second, it shows us that Jesus has finished his work of atonement. His last words as a human being on earth were “It is finished” (Matt 19:30). After God had created the earth in six days, “God had finished the work he had been doing…and rested from all of the work” (Gen 2:2-3). Jesus has finished His work on earth and now is resting beside Our Father. Together, they are for us, with us, and we are privileged to watch their movements in our lives.
“No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matt 7:27). With our eyes, hearts, and thoughts focused on both our Father and His Son, they will reveal themselves to us. Their revelation enlightens our minds with certainty and peace, and their presence as we pray softens our hearts.
Third, Jesus sitting in full harmony with God matters greatly to us. For in the resurrection, our position in the life to come is closely connected to Jesus' position with His Father. We will be regarded as “co-heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:17). What this means, we will have to wait and see.
If we could draw an illustration. Imagine you are in heaven in “My Father’s House.” You come for a visit. God and his Son are in a conversation in a large room. You join in the conversation, with the perfect right to speak and ask questions. Just as you would in your home, because you are family, you are not a visitor. You belong there.
Think Often About Things Above
Be “mindful of the things of God” (Matt 16:23)
Let’s take Jesus up on his promise: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33). All other needs we have requested of God, for family, for friends, for health, for life—God will give them to us just because we have our minds on things above. We will find other prayer requests suddenly in our possession.
When we keep seeking, keep studying, keep our eyes focused upward, keep faith strong, keep ourselves in “the way of the Lord” (Acts 18:25), and keep “in step with the Spirit” (Gal 5:25), we demonstrate that we have been raised with Christ. This places us near God through His Son.
When God answers our prayers, He does it from within us. God changes us and renews us as we seek His face. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8 NKJV).
Thus, we can say with announced certainty, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ep 3:20). Where does that power come from? From Christ and his Father, since we have been raised with Christ.
With such a promise, how can anything in our society gain our full attention—since Christ, our friend, the lover of our souls, re-creates inside us something special for “we are God’s workmanship” (Eph 2:10 EHV), His creation. He plants in us an inclination to be devoted to good deeds that honor God. While living for God’s will, we can say, like the Disciples, we lack nothing. “Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered” (Lk 22:35). While they were on mission, God took care of their families, and they also lacked nothing. Paul has given us assurance, saying, “my God [the Father] will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).
All your needs. As King David, Jesus' ancestor, observed over a lifetime. “I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread” (Ps 37:25).
Seek Things Above:
Listen throughout the day and sing “songs from the Spirit” (Col 3:16; Eph 5:19). Repeat the words as prayer. A quiet prayer, maybe just a whisper. Just from the heart.
“Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things… And the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:8-9).
Repeat simple words from Scripture. Make them an often-repeated prayer. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Ps 19:14).
Dwell on the “mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). This can provide endless fresh streams of thought.
Ask God to open to you true wisdom. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph 1:17).
Seek out ways to please God. So that we “may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10).
Today, make it your “goal to please him” (2 Cor 5:9).
Seek God so that you may do good, to be kind to another.
Seek to know what it means to be “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
Seek to understand the depth of the ministry of the Spirit.
Seek to understand the 7 + 1 One’s. In Ephesians 4:3-7
Seek to understand the Son of God as creator with the Father in Colossians 1:15-19.
Seek to understand all about Justification by Faith from Romans 3-5 and Galatians 2-5.
Seek to really understand the four Gospel accounts. To seek the deep truths in Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Corinthians. To know, chapter by chapter, what it says. What it means. To meditate on it.
Seek to be a good wife and husband (Col 3:18-19).
Seek to put on, every day, the ten articles of clothing (Col 3:12-15)
To Seek Things Above is a call to prayer, a request to “our Father in heaven” (Matt 6:9-13).
1. To have a “living hope” (1 Pet 1:3) for God’s kingdom to soon come.
2. For His will to be done on earth, where we live, our homes and our lives, everywhere around us. To seek things above is to ask God daily and hourly how to do His will in whatever God has assigned us.
3. To provide for our physical needs for our family and other believers of God.
4. To forgive our sins, as we request from God a forgiving spirit for everyone else.
5. To “lead us not into temptation.” At times, God will lead us to places that test our hearts. Paul said, “We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts” (1 Thess 2:4). Jesus saw God as active in every part of our lives. For our growth, He will test our hearts with temptations and difficulties, so that we might know our own weakness better. God knows the entrapments present in our world that would ensnare and deceive us. Thus, we pray that God will enable us to “escape from the trap of the devil” (2 Tim 2:26), which would cause us, great hardship and loss of faith.
David prayed that God would test him, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties. And see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps 139:23-24 NKJV). David was very brave to pray that; many would prefer peace over conflict. When troubles do come, let us say, “He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken” (Ps 62:2).
Thus, we pray today that God will guide us around and safely lead us through temptations, which would cause us to sin and dishonor Him whom we love. When trouble and temptations come, we ask God to lead us safely out. “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” (Ps 31:3). “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Ps 23 KJV).
(3) Where Christ is Seated
Well, what if your best friend was the chief of staff to the highest official of your country? As good friends since childhood, you share private phone numbers for texting and emails. So, you are confident that a special project you are working on will be funded because of your connections with your good friend.
So, think of our connections: Our friend, our Savior, is next to the Creator. God has said, “With God all things are possible” Matt 19:26). We can pray with absolute certainty, “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!” (Jer 32:17). Keep this as a visual picture in your mind, as you “present your requests to God” (Phil 4:6).
Now, we make our prayer request not with uncertainty, not with fear of rejection, and not with anxiety about whether we are good enough for God to listen to us. Just remember that our human friend Jesus has told us, “Come unto me.” He has given us assurance of our Father’s favor. Not because the Father does not love us, but because we have asked with his promise on our lips: “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13,14). This is almost too much. Anything. The condition is that we ask in His name. That is in keeping with the life he lived on earth.
For instance, if we ask God in prayer for wealth, it would not be in keeping with His Son’s life on earth, who declared, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt 8:20).
Prayerful Spiritual Growth, Since We Have Set Our Eyes on Things Above
For Spiritual growth, we need to be prayerful about getting drawn into social or political movements that are often compelling. They have power from the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph 2:2 NKJV). They can turn you upside down. They can excite your mind about social or political issues, encouraging anger, self-righteousness, and critical judgments toward anyone who views the issues differently.
Before long, we are drawn into social movements that do not honor God or his Son. They may appear good on the surface, but their enthusiasm easily becomes a substitute for things of God. Before long, we are engaged in their planning at the expense of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.
Should Jesus come, would “he find you sleeping” (Mk 13:36 NKJV)? We find “the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you’” (Matt 25:10-12 NKJV).
(4) Keep Seeking and Thinking About Things Above
This expression means to keep seeking God as an ongoing action, always part of our lives. John the Baptist said, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven” (John 3:27). Thus, we must understand what heaven gives us, for only that will be lasting and fruitful. When we receive any spiritual gift from above, let us respond with deeper humility. How can we boast, making ourselves look good, about something we have been gifted from heaven?
To seek things above is for the purpose of being “rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith” in Christ, “and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col 2:7). Always, daily requesting “forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:14) because of the river of grace that flows from God Himself in accompaniment with our friend Jesus, “the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Pet 2:25).
To seek things above is to seek to know “the true message of the gospel” (Col 1:5), to “truly” understand “God’s grace” (Col 1:6) and to be filled up “with the knowledge of His [God’s] will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” ( Col 1:9), so that we can “keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 24:16). To know for ourselves what it means to live daily in “the kingdom of light,” because we have been rescued from darkness and are “brought” into “the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Col 1:12,13).
The Christian life must be refreshed and “renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16) or it will become stagnant with many other thoughts, books, ideas becoming center stage; instead of Scriptures about God and Jesus Christ.
It is a call to often bathe ourselves in the witness of Jesus in “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1:2). Also “the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father” and the testimony of his disciples, since as Jesus said, “for you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:26,27).
Conclusion
1st When we focus on the resurrection, in the process Christ “anoints us, sets his seal of ownership on us, and puts his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Cor 1:21,22). We are “Born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). Through the Spirit we learn to:
To walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16).
To be guided by the Spirit (John 16:13)
To be taught by the Spirit (John 14:26)
To be made alive in the Spirit (1 Pet 3:18).
To have fellowship in the Spirit (Phil 2:1)
To be anointed by the Holy One (1 John 2:20)
Through the Spirit we know that we live in Him (1 John 4:13)
2nd When we focus on the Cross, we find forgiveness of our sins, where atonement is complete; the blood of Christ fully pays for our sins. Coming alongside the cross, we receive justification and reconciliation through faith alone, without the works of the law.
“We…know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So, we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified” Gal 2:16
3rd When we focus on the life and teachings of Jesus, in connection with the Apostles, we gain wisdom and understanding on how to live a life that pleases God, by “walking in the way of love just as Christ loved us” (Eph 5:1). In the life of Christ and the teaching of his Apostles we learn how to “live a life worthy of our calling…completely humble and gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:1,2).
Paul says this living experience with Christ is “the mystery of God, namely, Christ” (Col 2:2).
Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 3:4 [Then] when Christ, who is your life, appears [second coming], then you also [you too] will appear [openly manifested, not hidden] with him in glory [sharing in His glory]. NIV
3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. NKJV
3:3 Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. 3:4Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory. Easy-to-Read Version
3:3 Because your old life is dead and gone. Your new life is now hidden, enmeshed with the Anointed who is in God. 3:4 On that day when the Anointed One—who is our very life—is revealed, you will be revealed with Him in glory! The Voice
Paul restates the principles from the first two sentences of this chapter with renewed emphasis, because they are so important to understand. Paul emphasizes these principles because they are directly related to being ready for the second coming of Jesus, when we share glory and honor with Him and live eternally in our Father’s house.
For You Died—Baptism in Confession and Repentance
After confession and repentance, we are “buried with him in baptism” (Col 2:12). Repentance symbolically places our sins on the cross. Jesus leaves them buried in His grave, atoned for forever through His death and resurrection.
After this experience, conviction comes over believers; they do not want to live as they did before. A time when they “were alienated from God and were enemies” in their “minds because of” their “evil behavior” (Col 1:21). This is our condition before our sins were laid in the grave by Christ.
They want “to put to death the misdeeds of the body,” that they might “live” (Rom 8:13). For “if we died with him, we would also live with him” (2 Tim 2:11). The “Spirit of truth” (John 16:13) will testify to them truth from the Scriptures, concerning the truth about themselves. Giving them comfort, deeper repentance, and ongoing confession and encouragement with growing insights into the Scriptures.
For you Died—Resurrection Out of the Water into a New Life
Coming out of the water of baptism, we are to take off our “old self with its practices” (Col 3:9). We want God to bury our evil habits by the grace of Christ, being “united with him in a death like his” (Rom 6:5). This is a death to the love of evil and selfishness, leading into a resurrection to “love one another” (John 13:34), with greater love. Then we are “united with him in a resurrection like His” (Rom 6:5), with the power we need to leave our sinful practices and rise to a new life.
After baptism, as we rise from the watery grave, we are raised into a “new life” (Acts 5:20) in Christ Jesus. Every day, we are privileged to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).
We are privileged to ask God, throughout the day, to do His will. We should always assume we don’t know His will in every place and activity we encounter during the day. “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9). What a privilege to pray throughout the day for God to lead you in His will. Even if you think you know, remember that even when we know what to do, we should still ask God for wisdom as we do His will.
Even if we are certain what to do, take time to tell God you want to do His will. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:8,9). Let’s never forget that our thoughts and ideas are not always God's plan for us.
Think of the trouble that we could avoid and the additional blessings we could share if we frequently asked God for the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Eph 1:17). To follow and to know we are walking “the way of the Lord” (Acts 15:25). “For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (Ps 133:3).
For You Died—A Start of a New Movement Inside Us
Our symbolic death starts a movement away from spiritual darkness and into deep regret for our sins. At that moment, we freely receive “God’s abundant provision of grace,” “the gift of righteousness,” and “justification and life” (Rom 5:17-18).
We accept new commandments for our lives. As John has taught his “dear friends” (1 John 2:1): “I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble” (1 John 2:8-10). We cannot tolerate any form of hatred that would despise other believers in Jesus. We ask for more love, “For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another” (1 John 3:11). “Love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Pet 4:4).
What does the believer want to put to death? Next, Paul lists ten evil habits of our “earthly nature” that we are to “put to death” (Col 3:5-5). That means that their influence is to be broken. Our former love of our old ways of acting and thinking is brought into the light, for what they really are. We see what bitter fruit they yield in our lives, and we come to hate them with perfect hatred.
Our Life is Now Hidden with Christ
What does a hidden life with Christ mean? Hidden—concealed, out of sight, not visible. Instead, your life is glued and fixed on who Christ is in you. Hidden from the outside, nobody can see the glory of Christ flaming inside us, for “the kingdom of God is within you” (Lk 17:21 NKJV), hidden within.
In a similar way, “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15) was hidden in the youthful Jesus, as he worked as a day laborer. His humility did not seek to draw attention to himself, even though he could say, “I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me” (John 14:10). Jesus never abused this power, which was always available, even when Roman guards arrested him. He said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions [70,000] of angels?” (Matt 26:53).
To be Hidden in Christ, is first and foremost—to be humble.
Only the Humble ones are Hidden in Christ
“I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isa 57:15
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.” Ps 138:6
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10
“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" 1 Peter 5:5
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5,6
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:3
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt 11:29
"For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matt 23:12; Lk 14:11
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph 4:2)
“In humility value others above yourselves.” Phil 2:3
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col 3:12
Jesus’ Divinity Was Hidden as a Youth
All the power of divinity was available to Jesus day by day as he worked in a carpenter’s shop. Those he encountered had no idea he would soon become the “Desire of All Nations” (Haggai 2:7 NKJV) and that soon “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Isa 60:3). They had no idea whatsoever that in a few years, with just a few words from his lips, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43), a dead man would come from the grave alive and well.
Yet, daily for years as a youth and young man, he attended to His assigned tasks of cooking and washing clothes, and as a young boy, He worked as a skilled craftsman alongside His mentors. He lived in a large family of four brothers, “James, Joseph, Judas and Simon,” and “sisters,” who “took offense at him” when he first declared Himself the Messiah (Mk 6:3), and no doubt told Jesus about their feelings. Jesus hid his real identity very well.
Paul’s Trusted Co-worker Was Unnamed
There is an example of deep humility in the account that Paul relates when he sent Titus to collect an offering for the poor from the Corinthian church. Paul sent along with Titus a “brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering” (2 Cor 8:18,19).
Paul does not name this individual; he remains anonymous to us. It is clear that he was well known and highly esteemed, with confidence, among the Gentile churches. Additionally, the churches chose this highly regarded individual to travel with Paul and his team when the offerings for the poor were delivered to their destination. Paul mentions this anonymous brother again in 2 Corinthians 12:18, without naming him.
It is possible that Paul does not mention him at his own request, wishing to stay out of the limelight and not be first in importance. Maybe he wanted to follow the teachings of Jesus, who said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matt 5:3). This anonymous man’s life was hidden with Christ in God. His honor was in God's approval, not in public acclaim.
In Humility Christ is Hidden In Us
To the Ephesians, Paul wrote, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:2). The Greek word for humble is feminine: it is the opposite of human pride. It is the mindset of having a humble view of oneself, a deep sense of one's moral smallness, and modesty despite one’s achievements. It is an inner virtue, of choosing to compare ourselves to our Lord, who gave us our gifts, rather than to others, to prevent self-exaltation. We are invited to have the same mindset as Christ, “who humbled himself” (Phil 2:8).
Many Believers are Hidden
Today, many “lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:4) appear in society as frail, weakened with age, as they walk down the street. Yet hidden in them is the “brightness of the Lord’s glory” (Ez 10:4), out of sight. They might even be pushed aside by careless youth, not knowing this old man or woman has an “inheritance…in the kingdom of light…the kingdom of the Son He [God] loves” (Col 1:12-13). There they will “shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matt 13:43). While the careless crowd pushes this old man or woman to the side, as unimportant.
Yet in reality Christ is hidden in them. Some day, when Christ “appears” at his second coming, “then you also will appear,” openly manifested as brazenly bright, as the glory of the Kingdom of God. Then they can’t be hidden any longer. For we will be “with him in glory.” We will openly display a brightness like the sun, from the glory of God and His Son.
Many, very many believers, worldwide, have their eyes fixed on Christ, seated at the right hand of God. Our “eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge” in the Lord “our dwelling place” (Ps 141:8; 90:1).
Those Who are Hidden in Christ as Sealed as God’s Possessions
The “redeemed of the Lord” (Isa 62:12) are hidden from general sight, but they are known to all the Angelic host for they are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance, until the redemption [resurrection] of those who are God’s possession” (Eph 1:13,14). This is the greatest treasure we can possess on earth: “the seal of the living God” (Rev 7:2). Unseen by human eyes and unknown to nearly everyone, their life is hidden with Christ in God.
The Hidden Ones Don’t Wish to Have Honor
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor 4:5). Paul erected no buildings in his honor; he did not name his ministry after himself, such as the Apostle Paul’s Global Ministry, nor did Paul collect money and tithe for his services. He told the Corinthian believers, “Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel” (1 Cor 9:18).
Consider Paul's chief letters, Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians; they are almost all about Christ, God His Father, and the “Holy Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30), because he was a servant of Christ Jesus. From these letters, we know little of Paul's personal life, for he was hidden in Christ.
“And so we know and rely [absolute trust] on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them [hidden].” 1 John 4:16
A Live Hidden with God
You are raised with Christ (Col 3:1)
For you died with Christ (Col 3:3)
You are hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3)
You have put to death the earthly nature (Col 3:5)
You have taken off the old self (man) (Col 3:9)
Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires (Eph 4:22)
You have put on the new self (Col 3:10)
For we know that our old self was crucified with him…that we should no longer be slaves to sin (Rom 6:6).
"For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death misdeeds [evil deeds] of the body, you will live” (Rom 8:12,13).
When Christ, who is Your Life, Appears:
Then you Also Will Appear with Him in Glory.
This is beautiful! What a promise! When Christ, through His Spirit, His teachings, His words and commands, and the teachings of the Apostles, becomes our reason to live, our joy in life, our peace inside, and our faith that influences every daily activity. We can live with the certain promise that when Jesus appears at his second coming to earth with power and glory, we WILL BE THERE with Him, forever. The grave is ever so temporary. Our current life is just as temporary compared with life in the Holy City, as children of God.
So now, just now, with gospel love inside us, we start eternal life: “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47). In perspective, our time on earth is less than a camera flash. Believe it now; it is true.
What Does My Life Hidden with Christ in God Mean for Me?
It removes and subdues the storm inside us of negative thoughts, sometimes called “Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTS). Christ within brings daily, renewable peace and quiet to the mind. “He leads me beside quiet waters” (Ps 23:2). “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” (Mark 1:25).
One reason is that the mind and heart are always seeking to do God's will. Every morning, evening, and throughout the day, we pray when troubling things happen to us. We “set our minds on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). This reassures us that what is happening to us and around us is God's will. Thus, we can rest in His hands.
But more, nobody can adequately explain the “peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). It is just there. Peace just does come to our troubled mind. The Spirit of God will subdue our weird, twisted, self-condemning, self-destroying, sometimes suicidal thoughts. Yes, and we know this is true.
“But I have calmed and quieted myself; I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” Ps 131:2,3
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast.” Ps 139:7-10
Paul restates the principles from the two sentences above, with renewed emphasis. Because they are very important to understand. However, these spiritual principles are directly related to being ready for the second coming of Jesus and our resurrection into eternal glory.
The Hidden in Christ Will Know the Way of the Lord
God chose Abraham because he knew the way of the Lord. God said about him: “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just” (Gen 18:19).
At the beginning of the Lord's Prayer, we are to seek things above, to know the will of God. Jesus said, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10). In other words, we want to do God’s will in our lives today, as it is done in heaven.
One of the greatest hindrances to knowing God's will is the male ego that says, “I can do this.” A person may feel confident in what they are doing, but do they seek the Lord’s guidance in prayer? They miss out on God's guidance when they rely on their own judgment. God has promised:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Ps 32:8).
So How Does the Lord Give us Daily Guidance?
As we go about our daily activities, we should learn to ask God at every turn, what is His will. Knowing the will of God is a science we have to learn. Sometimes God directs us to a place, as He did for Elijah: when there was a famine in Israel, God told him to go “east of the Jordan, and you will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” But after a while, “the brook dried up” (1 Kings 17:3-7).
Sometimes, God directs us in a certain direction in life. There we find a dead end. We ask ourselves, if we were really listening to God’s will, would this happen? Yes. God can lead us to a condition where we again inquire of His will.
We should be aware of the many influences around us that could blind us to God's will. If we are engrossed in sports or a Disney movie series, we are less likely to discern God's will. As a result, we more often make serious mistakes. “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Ps 16:8).
Life in Christ Always Includes the Gift of Justification
“[We Jews ourselves] know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So, we too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works [commands] of the law no one will be justified [declared right with God]… “[Now] being justified freely [a gratuitous gift] by His [God’s] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Gal 2:16; Rom 3:24)
No one can produce any kind of obedience to be declared righteous in the eyes of God.
There is no merit to be added from human good works.
No one can say, “I think that some of my obedience of many years should count for something in the sight of God?”
Not in the performance of good moral behavior can we earn favor from God. This contributes nothing to our justification, which we receive by faith in Christ alone. Christ righteousness is sufficient, and human efforts are not needed to be right with God. We are declared right with God by faith alone in the Son of God.
Believers are right with God, justified, through no merit of their own. It is done by God for us, “freely,” which means “as a gift,” not by earning it.
It is by grace, which is freely given as an unmerited favor.
It is due solely to the generous goodness and grace of our Father.
It is the opposite of something that can be earned or obtained through personal efforts to obey.
To be justified is a metaphor from the court of law, declaring that when sinners are tried at the bar of God’s justice, they will be acquitted. They will be declared innocent because of Christ saving work through His blood on the cross. It is given freely through faith, available to all who come to God in the name of His Son.
"Being justified is done for us. It is the opposite of something that can be earned or obtained through personal efforts to obey “the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). Being justified is a passive word, not active, in the present tense.
So, if the Devil and our conscience accuse us of something we have done wrong, hold up these words: “To the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness” (Rom 4:5). Believe it, enjoy it, and live in it. The sinner appropriates Christ's saving work by faith. God is seen as “acquitting the guilty” (Rom 4:5).
The moment we believe. God is there, declaring us righteous. The opposite of justification is trying to earn God's favor and forgiveness by what we do, or what we should do.
When the Devil accuses us of something we have done, or we are troubled by dark thoughts that accuse us, it makes you wonder if you ever were a Christian. Turn to God, to be justified in His presence by faith alone.
We are not saved or justified by doing good works—but by believing in Christ Jesus.
We are not saved or justified by achieving a level of obedience—but by receiving justification that comes by faith alone.
We are not saved or justified by earning merit for doing good, but by faith in Christ our substitute. Do not listen to the wrong messages: you are not good enough to come to Christ. Instead, come just as you are.
Faith always justifies whenever it exists, and as soon as it is exercised; its result follows immediately, it does not need months of delay. The moment a man truly trusts his God he is justified & forgiven.” Charles Spurgeon 1868
“So, when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there, I shall be also!” Martin Luther
Once, all will face God, and we will have no merit of our own to plead. But Christ wonderful gift to us is that he has fully met the broken laws' claims on our behalf, and therefore we are acquitted. God is seen as “acquitting the guilty” (4:5).
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8)
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim 1:15).
Actions That Will Compromise Our Faith
That Cannot Be Tolerated
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature [your body, born on earth]:
(1) sexual immorality,
(2) impurity,
(3) lust,
(4) evil desires and
(5) greed, which is idolatry. 3:6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming, coming on those who are disobedient. 3:7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 3:8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: (6) anger, (7) rage,
(8) malice,
(9) slander, and
(10) filthy language from your lips. NIV
3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth [your body]:
(1) fornication,
(2) uncleanness,
(3) passion,
(4) evil desire, and
(5) covetousness, which is idolatry 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience 3:7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these:
(6) anger,
(7) wrath,
(8) malice,
(9) blasphemy,
(10) filthy language out of your mouth. NKJV
3:5 Your old nature likes to do bad things that belong to this earth. But your old nature is dead, so do not do these bad things anymore.
(1) Do not have sex with someone whom you are not married to.
(2) Do not think bad, disgusting thoughts.
(3) Do not want to have sex in a wrong way.
(4) Do not want to do any kind of bad things.
(5) Do not want to have many things for yourselves. That shows that you worship those things as your idol. 3:6 God will certainly punish people who do those kinds of bad things. 3:7 At one time, you lived like that. You did those kinds of bad things. 3:8 But now you must refuse to do all kinds of things like that.
(6) Do not become angry with people or shout at them.
(7) Do not do anything or say anything that will hurt other people.
(8) Do not speak any bad or disgusting words. EasyEnglish Bible
Earthly Nature: Elements That Come from Within
Jesus says that there are elements that come “from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come” (Mk 7:21). James repeats this saying, “Desires that battle within you [us]” (James 4:1). They come from our emotions, our feelings, our thoughts, and attitudes. They are ingrained inside us, from birth, family, social culture, and education.
Even after baptism and being “born from above” (John 3:3 margin), they surface with urges that snap us to attention. Paul is speaking to the Colossians who had “faith in Jesus” and love for “all God’s people.” They also had “love in the Spirit” (Col 1:3,8). They were not brand-new believers; they had matured, as “Epaphras” had reported to Paul (see Col 1:7-8).
Thus, we must never think that our sin-nature disappears at repentance and baptism. Changes are made in a sincere believer’s life. The sin-nature does not dominate, does not control, does not direct our lives—but it is still present. It is subdued and silenced, often one at a time. Yet our sin-nature is still a source of temptations. As Jesus warned His disciples, despite being with Him in person for over three years: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). Jesus admits that his disciples’ hearts are changed; they want to do right. However, their earthly nature is still a source of temptation.
Never Above Temptation
We should never believe we are above temptation: “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Cor 10:12). James warns us of temptations that come from within. “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire(s) and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown [carried out in action], gives birth to death” (James 1:14,15).
To the Galatians Paul wrote, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh (earthy nature); rather, serve one another humbly in love” (Gal 5:13).
Our daily prayer is, Lord, “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me” (Ps 119:133).
Put To Death
Paul opens this section of his letter with “setting your minds on things above” (1:3). Where is the power and presence of God the Father? With this real experience of having “His word abiding in you” (John 5:38), we can put to death the strong temptations that naturally arise in our physical bodies and our earthly nature (3:1-4). God has promised, “God protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him” (1 John 5:18).
The Greek word for put to death is nekroó, an imperative verb, translated as “earthly nature” in the NIV.
The NKJV says which are on the earth, which is a literal reading of the text.
The NAS, AMP, and Legacy Standard Bible say, “earthly body.”
The VOICE translates it as “earthly impulses.”
The Revised Geneva Translation says, “parts of your body which are of the Earth.”
The NLT says, “the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.”
Our earthly nature stands for elements we are born with that are part of all our physical bodies that we have while living on sinful earth. But will not be part of our bodies after the resurrection.
This is the way Jesus described our human lives: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children…” (Matt 7:11). We are evil; we know it. But now we don’t seek it out; we don’t want it; we want holiness and purity.
Paul is telling the Colossians that this is an imperative action, that they must put to death these things: that is to render them ineffective, to deprive of power, to deaden, to subdue, or to be inoperative, by setting “your minds on the things above” (Col 3:2). By dwelling in the Scriptures, in much prayer, sacred music, and seeking after the ministry of the Spirit.
The expression "put to death" is an active, intensive verb. It is stronger than “Thou shalt not.” It means we are no longer to be controlled by these impulses from our bodies.
These are stubborn weaknesses of our inherited nature, so we do not respond well to a mere order to not do something. They boil out from our inbred past generations and personal habits that have become fixed.
Many have yielded to these evil traits found inside their hearts. They lead to anger, murder, or revenge on the innocent. Afterward, they may spend years in jail with regret. Because they yielded to the demanding calls of evil inside their hearts or their heads, telling them they must do this evil deed. They are living in a state of demonic impurity, but the demon is within them.
This was the mission of Jesus, and the gospel was “to proclaim freedom to the captives [prisoners]” (Lk 4:18). Jesus “healed their diseases, those troubled by impure spirits were cured” (Lk 6:18). The Apostle John echoes the same truth saying, “You know that He appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him there was no sin” (1 John 3:15). Thank God there is freedom from the sinful urges by looking, by praying, by contemplation of the gospel story as it is related in the New Testament.
Paul wrote to the Romans saying, “I am not ashamed,” I never will be “of the gospel, because it is the power of God [power coming from God Himself] that brings salvation [eternal life] to everyone who believes [has faith]” (Rom 1:16).
Paul said, “I am not ashamed,” meaning that he is confident and enthusiastic about the gospel. Paul was anxious to teach and preach this gospel because it produced results; it changed human lives; wherever it was preached, the power of God was present. It produces supernatural results.
The Greek word for “power” refers to the power that comes from authority. In Greek, the word for power is dynamis, from which we get the words dynamite and dynamic. Paul says that the gospel is the explosive power of God. It changes us, transforms our lives, and satisfies our deepest spiritual longings.
John tells us about the power of one life, Christ Jesus, to change us. He says, “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray, or tell you anything different. “No one who continues to sin has either seen him or knows him. The one that does [practice] what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the Devil’s work” (1 John 3:6,8). Now that we are “raised with Christ” (3:1), it is the presence of Christ in our lives that removes the controlling power of evil in our lives, and in its place places love.
Now the Apostle Paul is laying out a list of ten sins that will not be found in anyone who is looking at Jesus. Not that they are ever removed from the possibility of sinning. But they don’t want to do it. Furthermore, when temptation comes, they hate even the thought of acting out these ten sins. The Spirit of God raises up a wall of resistance and, upon prayer, will remove even the temptation that at first appealed to our earthly nature.
John prophesied that the Dragon or Satan will send on the world various impure spirits. “I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, (Rev 16:13). They are called “frogs” because they are cold-blooded and unclean for food. Once they move into our human spirit, we have no power to remove them. Many are “tormented by impure spirits” (Acts 5:16) and take their lives and the lives of others. Only Christ can set them free.
The Best Ways to Put to Death Evil Passions
The best way to start putting to death these ten evil traits that Paul is soon to write about is through prayer. Every time a person recognizes an inappropriate thought or action, they should confess it at once. Every moment an unwanted, uninvited, and inappropriate action or thought occurs, confess it. Confess it; don’t let time go by. Believe that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just [He wants to] to forgive us our sins and to cleanse [remove] us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Thank God for His forgiveness; plead His promises to subdue our sinful nature, or we die. We who write this page know of the sweet victories over our sinful natures. We know that we are always in need of prayer. Always in need of more Scripture. Pay little attention to Scripture-less sermons; they are like “springs without water and mists driven by a storm [bring no rain]” (2 Pet 2:17).
We will always need more forgiveness and more love for God and others. Over time, the sins of the flesh, although present, are not active. They have lost their power to control. For “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him” (Isa 50:19). Count on it; it will happen. The Spirit will fight for us and create a ring of fire, a “pillar of fire,” around former bad habits.
Yet we are never beyond the stage of caution, prayer, and trust in God. We are not to foolishly go into places that offer vivid temptations directed at our human, fleshly passions. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" (Alexander Pope, 1711).
We know of our weaknesses, our tendencies to do wrong—were it not for the Spirit of God removing the desire to do them, we would yield to them to our regret.
But more, the Spirit of God implants mental pictures that counter the vile pictures that once dominated our lives. God can create in us a “pure heart” (Ps 51:10). A heart that loves God and seeks distance from the old works of the flesh. God does this all the time, all over the world.
For long-term control over our earthly natures, we need to have our “life hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). The only power we need is “Christ in” me, with all his glorious riches (Col 1:27), that is alone able to “circumcision without hands” (Col 2:10-13) our earthly nature. Then the powers of the flesh, our earthly nature, are removed from the dominant center of our lives and placed under the power of Christ and God’s Spirit. They no longer have free rein in our lives; although present, they are toothless and are under the discipline of God, our master.
As John writes, “No one who is born of God will continue to [practice] sin, because God’s seed remains [abides, in union] in them. They cannot go on sinning [repeatedly practicing], because they have been born of God” (1 John 3:9).
Rid Yourself (3:8)
The Greek means “to put off, to lay aside, to remove, to renounce, and take it away”. It implies a deliberate act of discarding something inappropriate. The NIV uses a very strong English word, rid yourself, to describe the deliberate effort needed to remove these controlling, defiling actions. The NKJV uses a weaker expression: “put them off.”
A Challenge to Every Believer— It’s Absolutely a Challenge
Paul did not start his letter, suddenly telling us to stop these deeply rooted habits in our lives at once. As if one should carry unwanted trash out of the house and never see it again.
To put to death requires spiritual training. For many who come to Christ after years in the world, some of these habits are part of nearly every hour of the day. Lust, even with hands off, is a normal human experience for many. Just cursing and swearing are endemic, with some doing so nearly every hour of the day.
Whoever thinks they can put to death, ridding themselves, every time, whenever one of these sins comes to our minds—is very deceived. It is impossible to do it all by ourselves. We read an account from the early Middle Ages when Monks in a monastery would try to quiet their bodies' lustful desires by rolling naked in thornbushes to subdue the flesh. We suppose their urge to find a wife may have disappeared for the moment, but it would certainly reappear. Putting these deeply rooted sinful habits to death does not mean we should use “harsh treatment of the body” (Col 2:23) as a means of suppressing unwanted habits.
To put to death starts with a decision not to tolerate the sins listed in this chapter. When a dark thought occurs, or dark feeling arises within us, from our eyes, our earthly nature. They must be given to God at that moment; we are “instant in prayer” (Rom 12:12 KJV). We can recognize these thoughts: they are always loveless and selfish. Saying, “Lord, take this away; I don’t want this thought to become an action that is desirable.” Jesus has promised us, “I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mk 11:24).
This is Not Something that We Can do Ourselves
If left to us, we will fail—often. Maybe we could have succeeded if Paul had told us about just one of these ten evil human actions. We might be able to make some effort to restrain ourselves. But all these common human actions are way too much for self-discipline. Because one may not commit an evil action but just an accepted thought of adultery or sexual expression in the forbidden zone, as Jesus has taught us in the Sermon on the Mount, is “adultery” (Matt 5:28).
Paul speaks about our addiction to sin: “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (Rom 7:18).
Job has commented: “Who can bring purity out of an impure person? No one!” (Job 14:4 NLT).
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Rom 3:11-12
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jer 17:9
It is Something That Has to be Done for Us, Since We Can’t Do This by Ourselves
We wish to give a brief description, in two ways, of the many ways sin can be put to death. We do not intend to give a complete account of all the many ways the Spirit of God and the Son of God can set us free.
The starting point, after repentance and baptism, is to be “Born again”, “Born of the Spirit” (John 3:8), and “Born of God” (1 John 4:7). Through this, the human demands for self-gratification are turned down. It becomes broken and loses all its power over us. The whole theme of the New Testament teaches us that we can be free in Christ. This is the Gospel.
The Gospel teaches us how these sins will lose their control over us. Before Christ came into our lives, we possessed an irresistible power, which inflamed us and pushed us, sometimes to the limit. Now! All and every one of them can be put to death, just as Paul tells us. They lose their power, their controlling voice over us.
It is not a one-time task where all is carried out. When temptation occurs, we have the tools to silence it. Not once and for all, but whenever they seem to rise to the surface, we are to pray to God to save us, or we will drown. Our sinful flesh is not removed, but subdued, subjected, pushed into silence. Our sinful flesh remains, but it does not reign. We will always need the Spirit in our life. We must “live by the Spirit” and “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal 5:25), daily.
“So, I say,” says Paul, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). If we walk away from the Spirit and grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:29-30), the dark deeds of our flesh will come back to life again.
Study Romans 8: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you”.
The first Way: Spiritual Circumcision
By faith in Christ, our sinful habits that arise from inside us, called our flesh is “circumcised.” That is cut away, removed from us, by the hand of Christ (Col 2:11). Christ removes, cuts away, something from us that we cannot do ourselves; it is because these habits are part of ourselves. Only our sleep in death could otherwise silence them from their demand for satisfaction.
What faith in Christ does for us is the best good news for all humanity. God changes us in hundreds of ways. We are re-created, to such an extent, that we become a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17).
Next time a strong temptation comes from within us, pray for God in Christ to remove these urges. Before you become aware of them, they will be subdued. Thank God repeatedly. When we struggle against our fallen habits, such as anger or other ingrained habits, exercise your privilege to come to an all-powerful God. Call on the name of the Lord. Ask Him to remove this habit from your life.
The Second Way: The Law of the Spirit
“The law of the Spirit of life in [faith] Christ Jesus has set you free from the law [authority] of sin and death” (Rom 8:2 NAS). This represents a new law, a new governing power and influence over our lives: the Holy Spirit. The Spirit brings spiritual life against the authority of sin and death, the sins we commit that do not lead to eternal life.
This is the gospel, “the ministry of the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:8). “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.” (John 6:63). Our flesh, our effort to put to death our internal dark demands, will always fail. But the Spirit will not fail; these demands are dethroned, and we will know it. We praise God for it.
There are so many references to the ministry of the Spirit in the Gospel that it would take a very large book to cover the whole subject.
Ten Sins that Spring from Our Earthly Nature
Paul lists ten sins that, unless surrendered to God, will bring “the wrath of God” that is “coming on those who are disobedient” (Col 3:6). For “at the end of the age, the angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt 13:49,50).
Thus, we need to take these sins very seriously. They expand the Ten Commandments; they are the New Testament Commandments of God’s Son. Jesus told the religious leaders while standing in the presence of the Hebrew Temple, “I tell you that something greater than the temple is here” (Matt 12:6). For “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb 1:3).
The Ten Commandments Need to Be Brought to Fulfillment
The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 are inadequate, on their own. They do not fully express Paul’s list of forbidden behaviors that bring “the wrath of God.” The Ten Commandments give a far weaker description.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets…but to fulfill them” (Matt 5:17). The Greek word “fulfill” is pléroó: it means to make complete, to fill up, to increase them and make them perfect. That is what Paul has done with this 10-point list of sins that bring the “wrath of God.”
The Sermon on the Mount continues to improve the 8th Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” by connecting murder with hate (Matt 5:21-26). Jesus improved the 7th Commandment, which only forbade “adultery.” Jesus teaches us that “lust” is the same as adultery (Matt 5:27-30). Thus, Jesus carries the Law to a higher plane than previously stated.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, “The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will exalt the law and make it honorable” (Isa 42:21). Jesus has made the law much more honorable. We cannot honor the law as given in the Ten Commandments without Jesus' life, teachings, and commands added to it. The life and teaching of Jesus are what is needed, what is necessary to bring the law to completion; without this, the law will remain incomplete. We need the teaching of Jesus and his Apostles to complete the Law given on Mount Sinai.
Jesus “went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue.” He read from the prophet Isaiah about the “good news to the poor” and proclaimed, “the year of the Lord’s favor,” a time when the Lord will give his people His favor. “Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue's eyes were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled [pléroó, law fulfill] in your hearing” (Lk 4:16-21).
(1) Sexual Immorality
The Greek word is porneía, the root of the English term "pornography” which originally meant "to sell off" sexual favors. This strikes at the heart of Roman and Greek culture, whereby law permitted houses of prostitution to flourish. Sex was considered a male right, even with the slave women that one owned.
The term porneía represents promiscuity of any type, including unfaithfulness, unchastity, and fornication. This includes sexual intercourse between two people who are not married to each other. Also, it includes any inappropriate touching or sexual expressions with anyone other than your spouse.
As Paul explained to the Thessalonian believers: “For this is God’s will: that you become holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you knows how to possess his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God. In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly” (1 Thess 4:3-6 NET).
In our culture, the sin of sexual immorality condemns the entire pornography industry, which produces thousands of movies with mature themes. Millions are glued to movie channels and theaters. Daily, they listen to cursing and watch men or women disrobe while eating popcorn. They are feeding their flesh, giving it power and strength in their lives. Lust becomes a normal part of thinking. Women and men are viewed from a sexual angle, rather than as children of God or “children of the Most High” (Lk 6:35).
To the Corinthian believers, Paul shares a very serious concern. He warns us to “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body” (1 Cor 6:18). Since “our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19), carrying out sexual activity is a sin against the Spirit of God called “God’s Spirit” (1 Cor 3:16). This is very serious, for only those “born of the Spirit” (John 3:6) will be saved.
In John’s book of Revelation, he symbolically calls the world a “great city, you mighty city of Babylon”, the “great prostitute”. There in that “great city” of Babylon! “The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich”. Of all the sins that bring judgment to the world, sexual immorality leads the list; it brings “impure” and “unclean” spirits into homes, churches, marriages, and society (see Rev 17, 18). Among believers, “among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality” (Eph 5:3). Believers “are called to belong to Jesus Christ” (Rom 1:6). They are to “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness” (Eph 5:11).
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth” (1 John 1:6).
Freedom From its Bondage
Sexual sins tend to create a bondage that is not easy to break. However, there is forgiveness for adultery, and freedom from its control over human emotions, passions, thoughts, dreams, and daily lust in the mind. For “the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Yes, you will! For God wills it.
Sexual Immorality—Paul’s Long List
Paul places sexual immorality at the top of his list of ten sins in Colossians 3:5-8.
Paul places sexual immorality in first place on his list of 6 sins. In Ephesians 5:3-7, he says, “There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality… Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”
(1#) sexual immorality [promiscuity], or of any kind of
(2#) impurity,
(3#) greed, because these are improper for God’s holy [loved] people.
(4#) obscenity [vulgar, dirty],
(5#) foolish talk [without reason] or
(6#) coarse joking [indecent, vile, nasty], which are out of place.
As John writes, “Dear children, do not be led astray…The one who does [practices] what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).
Paul places sexual immorality at the top of a list of 15 sins that he calls “works of the flesh… I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit [no share] the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:19-21).
(1) sexual immorality (2) impurity (3) debauchery (4) idolatry
(5) witchcraft (6) hatred (7) discord (8) jealousy (9) fits of rage
(10) selfish ambition (11) dissensions (12) factions (13) envy
(14) drunkenness (15) orgies (16) and others like it (NIV)
Also, sexual sins are the head of a very long list of sins in Romans 1:18-31. Sexual sins are in the two short lists of sins that will exclude all from going into the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:8; 22:14,15).
Perhaps there is a lesson for all believers in Christ Jesus. Sexual sins are at the top of the list of sins that will separate us from God. As John says, “sins that lead to death” (1 John 5:16). This sin opens the door to humanity's fallen nature, leading to endless, powerful, seductive temptations that most never escape.
Of the ten sins Paul urges us to put off, our first attention must be on “lust of the flesh” (1 John 2:16). By this, we mean “strange flesh” (Jude 1:7 NKJV), that is, not our wives or husbands, but another person.
If this sinful lust is not under the power and control of God, all the other sins will also be a continual source of temptation. Perhaps a victorious experience that brings us close to God lies in paying attention to sexual sins first. [For further study see our commentary on: 1 John 2:15-17, on “lust of the flesh”]
Sexual Immorality—Jesus Speaking to Married Men
Speaking to men, Jesus said, “I tell you [men] that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Matt 19:9). In this, Jesus is protecting women from men who would abandon them for other wives, leaving them vulnerable in society.
Although the divorced man may be a member of good standing at church, he may have good reasons to leave his first wife, other than adultery on her part. This man may have gained a new wife but lost heaven, especially if he did so unconfessed and unrepented.
Sexual Immorality—The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments do not address the larger issues of sexual immorality. The seventh commandment simply says, “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14), which does not address divorce, pornography, lust, or fornication.
The general title of coveting was placed as the last commandment, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Ex 20:17). When Moses repeated the Ten Commandments 40 years after the event, he changed the wording placing coveting a neighbor’s wife first, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house…” (Deut 5:21).
Coveting is selfish at heart. It is a lustful desire to own and possess something belonging to another, the precursor to stealing and adultery. Yet this comes far short of the longer descriptions in the New Testament and the high standard that Jesus has taught us.
The highest standard one could imagine, Paul writes to the Corinthian believers. There he relates God’s plan for humanity, from the beginning in Eden: “The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, ’The two will become one flesh. But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit” (1 Cor 6:15-17).
Meaning sexual sins are against the design God implanted in the human body at their creation. Marriage was a pattern, where “the two will become one flesh” (Mk 10:8), where man and woman become one with the Spirit of God. The Spirit is how God lives in. Marriage was designed to show unity, love, fellowship, support, comfort, and harmony between two people. All of this reflects God’s desire for us, individually. Adultery breaks up this harmony with one’s spouse and with God.
Wisdom from Proverbs
“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life. Her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it. Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enriches the house of another. At the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.” Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always; may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?” Prov 5
(2) Impurity
The Greek word is akatharsia: Meaning “Impurity, uncleanness, the New Testament usage centers on inner defilement that expresses itself in outward acts.
Impurity is found in the soul, which daily finds pleasure in “lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes (1 John 2:16), with no sense of wrongdoing or guilt. It has become a normal way of life.
Impurity is found in believers who live in a compromised state, a state of following the “Works of their Flesh” (Gal 5:19-21). They are not “born of God.” As John says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin…they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who are the children of God are and who the children of the devil are” (1 John 3:9,10).
Impurity is found in watching, looking at it, dwelling on lustful pictures, just mentally participating. It makes one unclean, or impure, which opens the door for demons or “unclean spirits” (Rev 16:13) to orchestrate one's life. Only Christ can make the unclean clean.
Only Christ can make the unclean clean. “A man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him” (Lk 5:12,13).
(3) Lust
The Greek word is pathos, meaning “inordinate passion with strong feelings.” Like burning lustful desires that need to be gratified. Such lust is not inclined to be gentle but does demand repeated satisfaction.
John calls sexual sins “lust of the flesh” at the top of a three-fold list that is not “the will of God” (1 John 2:15-17).
Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount places lust as adultery, “but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt 5:28). One should avoid lust at all costs or “your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matt 5:29).
Lust holds an element of wanting something that belongs to someone else.
Lust has hidden agendas and motives that are dark and forbidden.
Lust carries out its purposes under cover of support from family and the rules of society.
Lust is known to strike out with violence when their desires are not fulfilled.
Lust is often sexually abusive, and at its worst, murderous.
Lust must pretend to love and care about others, but its purposes are for self-interest and not in the best interest of the other.
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” Job 31:1
“Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.” Prov 6:25
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Prov 4:23
(4) Evil desires
The word evil means wicked and harmful.
The word desires means longing, especially for the wrong and forbidden. It carries the idea of strong impulses to do something, such as retaliating for a perceived wrong. This is demonstrated in road rage, where the impulse is to harm someone who has offended you.
It carries the idea of inner rottenness and eagerness to do harm, to hurt another in whatever way one can get away with it.
The word evil implies wickedness and harm to others. In a sense, there is an eagerness to do evil if one could. Evil enjoys getting away with doing evil. Doing good does not satisfy the possible enjoyment found in wickedness. As Paul wrote, they “invent ways of doing evil” (Rom 1:30); that is, how to do more evil to a greater extent. They say, “Let us do evil that good may result” (Rom 3:8).
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends…” (Rom 12:17-18).
Jesus placed evil thoughts as the staging place for all other sins: “Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them… What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:14-15, 20-23).
General advice from Paul to all: “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). And “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong [Greek: evil] but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else” (1 Thess 5:15).
General Advice from Peter to all: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing… They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. (1 Pet 3:9, 11).
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Pet 3:12).
General Advice from John to all: “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God” (3 John 11).
(5) Greed, which is Idolatry
Greed, in Greek, means “deeds of coveting, greediness, cravings, by implication, fraudulency and extortion.” As Peter says, they have “a heart trained in greed” (2 Pet 2:14).
It is a desire to get money, property, and possessions at whatever the cost. This is the basis for robberies, thefts, and corruption. It is a kind of worship of material possessions. One’s identity, self-worth, and pride are sacrificed as an offering to “the god of this world” who “has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe” (2 Cor 4:4 NLT).
Greed is identified as idolatry. Not the bowing down to an idol statue but worshiping “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4 NAS). A desire to possess more and more money, land, and more opportunity for lustful pleasures. They seek more property than they can manage. The greedy spend everything on their whims and wishes, regardless of others' needs. All of everything is for themselves.
Jesus has warned us: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Lk 12:15).
(6) Anger
This often rests in the heart silently until we see someone who has wronged us; then it flares up again.
Anger can be settled or erupt into sudden destruction
Anger can be threatening, causing fear for those around us.
Anger can be used to control others, in the family or workplace.
Anger can introduce new verbs and adjectives into our speech.
Anger is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34 KJV). It could be a husband, wife, child, civil or religious leader. Eventually, anger will be directed at God, for reasons that grow over time.
Anger is seldom held alone; it attracts many companions that bring other unwanted evil influences with it. As Jesus said, “Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first” (Matt 12:45 NAS).
Anger grieves the Spirit. Paul lists sins that “grieve the Holy Spirit of God, whom you are sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:29-31). Anger is clustered with “bitterness, rage, quarreling, slander and malice” (Eph 4:31). Anger cannot stand alone; it has many companions that will attach themselves; before long, they will all demand expression.
When anger is not part of daily life, we will be “kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving to one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32).
Jesus has given us instruction to “settle matters quickly with your adversary” (Matt 5:25), so that the “sun” will not “go down while you are still angry” (Eph 4:26). Meaning that the longer anger simmers in the heart, the more difficult it becomes to part with it, even if we know it is harmful.
Anger steals away goodness from within our souls.
Anger always leads to less love, patience, faith, and hope.
Anger can show up in unnecessary, impatient words spoken to someone who may be slow or unable to meet your demands.
Anger toward a believer in Christ will have a reflexive action. It lessens the desire to do God's will. It lessens faith and love for God and others. It will nearly always, unless immediately repented of, lead to mistakes in judgment.
Anger wants to grow in expression. It wants to express itself; it does not want to be silent.
Anger heated up, leads to rage and slander.
Anger quickly justifies itself as righteous anger.
Anger is known for its impatience and irritability with others.
(7) Rage
The Greek word for rage means: “to rush along, getting heated up, breathing rapidly, or an outburst of passion and/or wrath.” Rage is a sudden outburst of strong feelings that are nearly impossible to stop with reason. Because rage is unreasonable. Not even police force can stop rage; it will continue to burn inside the soul with bitterness. Over time, rage will burn itself out but leave a hollowed-out feeling inside the soul.
If a believer is affected by rage, they are not under the influence of the Holy Spirit: “The Spirit is love, joy, and peace” (Gal 5:22). They need much prayer and time for reflection, confession, and bathing in Scripture.
It can help if they have a spiritual friend who is not judgmental to pray for them. For their deliverance from the evil spirits of rage, which is an outburst of deeply held anger that has been warmed in the heart for many, many years. Or has suddenly risen to the surface with passionate unkind words that hurt and break up marriages and friendships, leaving regrets forever.
(8) Malice—
It is a spiteful disposition. It is hidden, most often covered with fake kindness. It is a desire to injure, to create trouble for another person. It is a sore on the soul that feels secretly vengeful toward someone who has hurt us in some way. It wishes them harm and nearly prays for their embarrassment.
Malice is the most hidden form of anger, striking back with small acts of disrespect intended to hurt others' reputations. It does this while pretending to be honest and truthful. While secretly promoting oneself above others.
Paul calls it the “leaven of malice” (1 Cor 5:18 KJV), meaning malice influences us so that the “things of God” (1 Cor 2:10) are desired less and less often.
(9) Slander—
Slander is blasphemous, abusive language. It is speech that injures another’s good name or God’s name. It is a pronouncement of harsh judgment and condemnation. It is an expression of one who does not know God. That can slander all that is good, even God and His angels.
Slander is often associated with colorful sexual expressions that are base and carnal.
(10) Filthy Language
Any expression that involves bodily waste. Expressions that are degrading to women and to different races of people. There are many words that make up filthy language that we need not list, for just saying or writing these words are defiling to a Spirit-influenced conscience.
Every person walking with God should know what filthy language is, without having it illustrated.
Wrath of God is Coming
In Revelation, this is pictured as the “cup of his wrath…poured in full strength” (14:10). Believers who have “risen with Christ” and have experienced resurrection power and afterward been sealed with the “promised Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:12) they have gotten victory over the “Beast”, inside them, and “his Image” (Rev 14:9), representing many evil habits and actions. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt 5:8); they will never experience God's judgment.
Every church-attending person should take a close look, a closer look, at their life. To ask “the Spirit of Truth” (John 16:13) to reveal “if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps 139:24).
Practicing one or more of these traits runs counter to the purpose of God and His Spirit for our lives. In reality, this means more than how one defines the Trinity, the condition of the dead, or whether there is a rapture or a Second Coming of Jesus—it is far more important to: “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Rom 13:14).
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Pet 3:12
John’s Advice to Overcoming Evil
“I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives [abides] in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:14).
John addresses these young men twice, using poetic language. First, John commends them for overcoming the evil one, an expression Jesus often used (John 17:15) in reference to the “Devil.”
Then, John affirms these young people because the word of God lives, or abides, in them, making them strong believers. They were “born again by the imperishable, living and enduring word of God” (1 Pet 1:23). They knew the gospel accounts through study, prayer, and being “born of the spirit” (John 3:8).
To be strong, we must be able to discern what is not of God: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16). John uses the word strong only once.
To be a strong young man means first that they have learned to recognize evil and, with the word of God abiding in them, a clear reference to the Spirit abiding who is “with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). These young believers were “born again” (John 3:3) or, as John calls it, “Born of God” (1 John 5:1).
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:4,5)
Summary:
Both John and Paul pinpoint the qualities that create strong believers who can rid themselves of slavery to the earthly nature.
First, they know God for themselves; they are born of God. Christian groups should place considerable stress on the Holy Spirit, what it means to receive the Spirit, and how to be “Born of the Spirit” (John 3:6).
Second, they are strong in the word of God and faith in the Son of God. As John has told us, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5).
We are to be committed to the word of God. Christian groups should train the youth to study the Word through the gift of the Spirit within them. They should be taught to look to God, not others, to understand Scripture. With these tools, they will overcome temptation and stand firm in their faith.
Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off [laid aside, stopped] your old self [old man] with its practices [listed above] 3:10 and have put on the new self [new man], which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its [our] Creator. NIV
3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him NKJV
3:9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 3:10 and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. NET Bible
Paul’s letter shifts direction from the earlier section, which was characterized by ten deeds of wickedness that, when practiced, bring the “wrath of God” (Col 3:3-8). Now Paul warns us about hypocrisy, lying to one another about our faith. This is common practice in many Christian fellowships.
Lie to Each Other
John puts it this way. “If we claim to have fellowship with Him [Jesus], and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live the truth” (1 John 1:6). This is religious hypocrisy. As Jesus has said, “On the outside you appear to people as righteous but, on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matt 23:28), as described in the ten descriptions above.
In Roman and Greek culture, it was common to exaggerate and inflate a person’s accomplishments. This cultural custom could naturally carry over into their Christian fellowship. One might claim to be a baptized believer in God, yet in business or personal life they have not “put to death…the earthly nature” (Col 3:5). But instead, they boastfully proclaim purity, while not having “the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor 5:8). As Jesus told the Teacher of the law in His time, “On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matt 23:28).
They may have become church elders or respected members, yet carry “malice” in their hearts. Believing Romans may still practice sexual indiscretions with their slaves or in brothels, readily available in Roman Greek culture. All the while, they pretended to have piety. The Apostle John says, “I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth” (1 John 2:21).
Religious Hypocrisy Today—A Major Issue
There is a long list of church leaders throughout history who have been caught up in financial fraud or sexual misconduct. Some people wish to appear religious for their advantage. As a result, many have been deceived and lost their faith.
Lying Has an Evil Source
Religious leaders in Jesus’ time “plotted how they might kill Jesus” (Matt 12:14). Once the temple leaders heard Jesus say to his disciples, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They did not view themselves as needing any kind of freedom. They reply to Jesus, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone” (John 8:33). Then Jesus added a truth that was not flattering to them, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:31-47). Jesus exposes the lies of the religious leaders, who claimed, “never to be slaves to anyone.”
Hypocrisy and lying are twins. Those who lie to others will eventually lie to themselves. Jesus warned His disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Lk 12:1). Yeast spreads and changes everything. Once a course of hypocrisy is undertaken, it is supported by lies and cover-ups, then by more lies. Soon the “yeast” of lies permeates the whole of life.
Answer to Hypocrisy
The answer: they must be renewed. The Greek word for renewed is anakainoó: Which means “To renew, to make new again, and to renovate.” In short, it means to be transformed, to be “Born Again” (John 3:3 NIV) or “born from above” (1 John 3:3 NET).
“To become children of God— children born not of natural descent [from fathers and mothers], nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12,13). To be born of God is to be born into love, “for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Rom 13:8). In other words, it is impossible to practice any of the ten actions above (Col 3:5-8) without love for God and others in the heart.
“Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:17). Those who love will not lie to one another about their conduct. As Paul told the Roman Governer Felix, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 20:16).
Renewal is a Daily Event
To the Corinthians, Paul wrote that “inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16).
The AMP Bible says, “our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day”.
The Contemporary English Version says, “we ourselves are being made stronger each day”.
The Disciples’ Literal NT says, “our inner person is being renewed day in and day out”.
The Good News Translation says, “our spiritual being is renewed day after day”.
The J.B. Phillips New Testament says, “every day the inward man receives fresh strength”.
The Voice says, “our inner humanity is breathing in new life every day”.
While on earth, we will always need to be renewed. It is a false teaching that suggests we can arrive at perfection one day. With no more need for day-by-day spiritual renewal. Jesus taught us to “abide in the vine” (John 15:1-3), meaning to remain connected to the vine. We are dependent every minute on the vine, never independent of the Vine, which will enable us to “set our hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1)
It is our privilege, our glory, our joy to have such a connection with Christ and the Father, that every day, we can experience spiritual renewal. Under this influence, it becomes impossible for us to lie to one another or mislead another for our advantage. To make ourselves great in the eyes of others, so that we can advantage ourselves.
This renewal is from inside a believer; a new presence moves into our lives. When the “apostles” were “arrested” and thrown into “public jail,” at night “an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail.” The Angel who released them told them to go to a public place, “stand in the temple courts,” when many people were present, and “tell the people all about this new life” (Acts 5:18-20). “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Rom 6:4).
Being “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8), we are recreated to become “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved” (Col 3:12). We are to be “made new in the attitude of your minds” and “to put on the new self [new person], created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:23,24).
The emphasis we need to understand is that the Spirit's task is nothing less than re-creation. This is what it means to be Born Again.
We are God’s new creation. As the earth was at first “formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.” This earth started when “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen 1:2-3); that light was the influence of “the Spirit of God.” So, Christ calls us when in darkness, and we are enlightened by new understanding, becoming a new creation.
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New Self…Renewed IN KNOWLEDGE
The Greek word for Knowledge includes “perception, discernment, recognition, and intuition.” It means hearing and knowing the leading and voice of the Spirit. As Paul prayed: “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9).
We know what has been revealed to us from the influence of the New Man. We experience firsthand because “our life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). From this source we are renewed in the image of [our] Creator (Col 1:9).
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).
Image of Their Creator
How does this renewal take place? By knowledge of God. “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to” (Lk 8:10) those who believe in Him. This is “knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Cor 4:6). There is no end of learning, gaining new insights, and perceiving ever more about the “secrets of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 13:11).
The hypocritical have merely head knowledge of God. Now, Paul wants them to really spend time getting to know their Creator. To start all over again. To allow God to re-create them into a new creation, where everything is all new in their lives; they have a new self.
The New Man is made in the image of God, created to be a New Person. It is called a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17), where God is not making new trees or plants, but new people who are being transformed by the “light of the world” (John 8:12). This is personal knowledge, privileged knowledge for those who have experienced the construction of the new person, the “new creation”, inside them by the Spirit. As John testifies, “you know that He appeared [on earth] so that He might take away our sins. And in him [there] is no sin” (1 John 3:5).
God is creating a new creation. “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17). The first creation was in Eden when God “created mankind in his own image” (Gen 2:27). And He celebrated His completed creation on “the seventh day” (Gen 2:1). Every Sabbath, the seventh day was a reminder of another creation to come. In Christ, “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14), a new creation would arrive, now called a New Man, renewed in God’s image, just like the first creation. The new physical bodies are promised in the future; for now, we are to bear the image of God in the spiritual realm.
Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised [Jewish Christian] or uncircumcised [Gentile Christian], barbarian [foreigner], Scythian [savage, uncivilized], slave or free [person], but Christ is all and is in all. NIV
3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. NKJV
3:11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. NLT
*The Flow of the Text: From the Preceding Sentences
“Been raised with Christ” (3:1)
“Set our minds on things above” (3:2)
Our “life is now hidden with Christ in God” (3:3)
“Put to death” our “earthly nature” (3:5)
“Rid ourselves” of “the life we once lived” (3:6,7)
“Put off” our “old self with its practices” (3:9)
“Put on the “new self” (3:10)
Been “renewed in knowledge” of the things of God (3:10)
Been “renewed…in the image of” our “Creator” into a new person, like Christ (3:10)
Therefore: Since we have been “renewed,” born again, and put on the “new self,” we should “love one another” (John 13:35; 1 John 3:11).
Therefore: All believers are equal in Christ. “With the power of the Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.” (Eph 1:16-17). Thus, there can be no distinction based on color, nationality, ethnic origin, or gender. Because Christ dwells in all of us, all at the same time. “Is Christ divided?” (1 Cor 1:13), No. There is just “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:6). Thus, believers will, out of love for Christ, love others that Christ also loves.
Here There Is, There Should Be…No Separation
If a believer in Christ comes from the savage countries north of Rome.
If a believer in Christ comes from the Gentile world of Rome, Egypt or Greece.
If a believer in Christ comes from the devoted followers of the Old Testament demands of circumcision.
If a believer in Christ comes from a foreigner with customs different and strange
If a believer in Christ comes from the slave class that work in the fields under bondage
If a believer in Christ comes from a Roman free man or woman.
If a believer in Christ comes from Roman wealth, a member of the Roman senate.
If a believer in Christ comes from the very poor, illiterate class of migrants.
If all the above have faith in Christ in their heart’s, this one factor disperses all separation between them. Because Christ, the Son of God, like his Father, is always the same, “who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Christ is not divided, as if there is a different Christ for each of the above groups of people. Jesus is the same for all, the “Savior of the world” (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14). “Is Christ divided?” (1 Cor 1:13), no, He is not.
The distinction is not based on what they believe. It is not based on the various ways they worship: some on Sunday, in honor of the resurrection, and others of the Jewish faith on Saturday. What matters is not creeds or the various shades of Biblical understanding, but whether the individual has faith in Christ and knows what it means to be declared righteous and just in the sight of God because they have come to the cross.
Christ Is All and Is in All: He is Everything that Matters at All
Various Other Bible Translations:
“Christ is all things and, in all people” [Common English Bible].
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us” [Contemporary English Version].
“Christ [is] everything, and in all” [Darby Translation].
“Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you” [Easy-to-Read Version].
“Christ is all that matters. He lives in every believer” [EasyEnglish Bible].
“Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all” [Living Bible].
“Christ is in all believers, and Christ is all that is important” [International Children’s Bible].
“Christ is all that matters for Christ lives in them all” [J.B. Phillips].
“Christ is everything and is in all of them” [New International Reader's Version].
“Christ is all, and in all things” [New Matthew Bible].
“Christ is everything, and he is in all of them” [Worldwide English].
The same Christ is in all—that is, in every believer. All are bound together through their mutual love of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mk 1:1).
If one should despise a different class of people, then they are really despising Christ himself. This would bring spiritual darkness. If “anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness [perfect darkness] has blinded them” (1 John 2:11).
No Separate Distinction in Male or Female
Those who have been “renewed in knowledge in the image” of their “Creator” (3:10) have no separate distinction among them. Everybody, everywhere, all around the world, all men, all women, all children, all pastors and religious workers—there is absolutely no distinction, such as making men spiritually superior to women.
One is not superior to another. No one sex has any right, in Christ Jesus, to claim superiority. To claim the right to be pastor, bishop, or elder of the church while excluding another equally qualified person of a different gender.
“So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:26-28).
Why Is There No Distinction?
Because the same Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, is in all. He is in all believers, no more in one and less in another. “Righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile” (Rom 3:22). No difference between male and female, Jew and Gentile. “Justification and life” are given “for all people” (Rom 5:18) who come to have faith in Christ Jesus and are born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
It is wrong to believe that justification and righteousness are given because a person is male or female. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.
In Continuation of the Preceding Sentence
We are told not to lie to each other (3:9) because we are all in Christ. Thus, we would be lying to Christ, to another who is in Christ by faith. We are to be honest and sincere with others, for such would be carried on in front of Christ.
We are told to put on the New Self (3:10), which does not place people in separate categories or suggest that one is lesser than another. Some modern Christian faith denies all other faiths as false, even if they are sincere believers in Christ. Just because they have a different style of worship or a few minor differences in their views on salvation. Many denominations have split apart over minor theological issues.
Christ does not create a new man, one for the Gentile, another for the Jew, and a different one for the barbarian. It is Christ in all of them; all they ever need.
This concept denies any radical ethnic or cultural customs to separate believers. Sadly, we Christians have a very poor historical record of acceptance of other believers due to skin color, dress standards, or language. Many who do not accept other nationalities may themselves, even if they are baptized, find themselves outside the city. They disenfranchise themselves from another believer in Christ of a different race, color, nationality, or religious practice, which is not Christ-like.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with (1) compassion, (2) kindness, (3) humility, (4) gentleness, and (5) patience. 3:13 (6) Bear with each other and (7) forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 3:14 And over all these virtues (8) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 3:15 (9) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And (10) be thankful. NIV
3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on (1) tender mercies, (2) kindness, (3) humility, (4) meekness, (5) longsuffering; 3:13 (6) bearing with one another, and (7) forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 3:14 But above all these things (8) put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 3:15 And (9) let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and (10) be thankful. NKJV
3:12 You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. (1) So put on tender mercy and (2) kindness as if they were your clothes. (3) Don’t be proud. (4) Be gentle and (5) patient. 3:13 (6) Put up with one another. (7) Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you. 3:14 And over all these good things (8) put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one. 3:15 (9) Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts. As parts of one body, you were appointed to live in peace. And (10) be thankful. New International Reader's Version
Therefore: All Believers in Christ
Since we all have been “raised with Christ” (3:1).
Since we have “set our hearts and minds of things above” (3:1)
Since our life “is now hidden with Christ in God” (3:3).
Since we have “put to death” our “earthly nature” (3:5).
Since we have “taken off” the “old self” and “put on the new self” (3:9,10).
Since we have been “renewed in knowledge” of Christ into “the image of our Creator” (3:10). * Since we are all, all of us, are privileged to have “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).
Therefore, since we are now God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved by God. we have a spiritual calling in Christ to clothe ourselves and make it a habit to put on ten spiritual qualities daily.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord” (Eph 5:8-10).
John has written to his dear children, “All who have this hope in him [of seeing Christ when he appears], purify themselves, just as he is pure…We know that anyone born of God does not sin: the one who is born of God keep his safe, and evil one cannot harm them” (1 John 3:3; 5:18).
Now, Paul has given to us ten habits that characterize Christ living in us, not the evil desires that we once had. These are the things that please God. Early in this letter, Paul prayed that “you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10). When these ten values become a part of our lives, we please God.
God’s chosen people, dearly loved, clothe yourselves with:
(1) Compassion, (2) Kindness, (3) Humility, (4) Gentleness and (5) Patience.
(6) Bear with each other and
(7) forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues:
(8) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
(9) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
(10) And be thankful. Col 3:12-14
Clothe Yourselves
The idea is to make these spiritual values fit into your life, just as we would buy clothes that fit us. Just as we would wear a shirt or a dress that represents our image, who we are.
It would be better to be less concerned with society’s outward style of dress and more concerned with the inward clothes we wear. As Peter has instructed both men and women, “Our beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Pet 3:3-4).
We all start our morning by choosing the clothes to wear for the day. We always try to dress ourselves appropriately for the day. Likewise, we should also clothe ourselves with these ten spiritual garments. We start the day with prayer, putting on these virtues as God’s dearly loved children. Soon this will be “the way of life you [we] have learned…taught in Him in accordance with the truth as it is in Jesus” (Eph 4:20-21). These ten virtues were part of His life.
This describes the New Self that has been Renewed in the Image of our Creator (Col 3:9-10). This describes a renewed, re-created believer in Christ-like actions. This is their character. No other place in Scripture lists these ten qualities of character—all in one place.
Practical Application
John says that the normal experience of those who belong to Him is that “we have set our hearts at rest in his presence” (1 John 3:19). We feel at ease and quiet in our souls throughout the day. We know about the peace of God.
If we have been unnecessarily impatient with someone. We will know it by the loss of peace. We will know something is not right immediately after the event or the next morning.
Walking with God, carrying around “the peace of God” (Phil 4:7), “keeping in step with the Spirit” (Gal 5:25), and having “faith” in the “atonement” on the cross (Rom 3:25). Claiming “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Phil 3:9). We will want to, we will need to, we will care about the above ten virtues as much as we care about our lives.
“Say with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’; Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved. With your heart you believe and are made right with God. With your mouth you say what you believe. And so you are saved.” Rom 10:9-10
Chosen People
The Greek word for chosen is eklektos, meaning “chosen and elect.” God has chosen us; it was by His personal choice and intention. To the Ephesians, Paul wrote, “For [God] chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight, in love” (Eph 1:4). “In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” (Titus 1:2).
It is not possible for us to choose Him before the beginning of time, long before our ancestors were born. We did not use our free will to choose Him, since it was God’s act and “grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (2 Tim 1:9), that we are believers today. This was not a casual choice on God's part; it was purposeful and methodical; He chose us. He loved us and wanted us. This was God’s initiative; otherwise, none of us would have made it alive out of this evil world.
This happens “because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16).
When God made the world, he also prepared a kingdom, such as described as the New Jerusalem. Jesus has told us of the welcome given to the redeemed from earth, “‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt 25:34).
Take this in for a moment: when God created the earth, he had prepared a place for the fallen from the earth to come and live next to Him. This was not an afterthought on God's part but deliberate and planned. When God calls us and chooses us, he also calls us to have a dwelling place next to Him. On earth, we are brought by faith into the dwelling place, but in heaven we will be privileged to live, work, and eat in the very home of God the Father. “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Rev 21:3). God is not thinking of just your pleasure in being in the eternal dwelling place in the house of God. No. God is thinking of His pleasure in having you around Him! Yes, believe it! This is why God chose you.
How Do Scriptures Use This Greek Word (eklektos) as God’s Chosen People
“For many are invited, but few are chosen (eklektos)” (Matt 22:14)
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (eklektos).” (Matt 24:24)
“And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect (eklektos) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matt 24:31)
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen (eklektos)? It is God who justifies.” (Rom 8:33)
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect (eklektos) and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness” (Titus 1:1)
“But you are a chosen (eklektos) people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Pet 2:9)
“He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen (eklektos) and faithful followers.” (Rev 17:14)
Throughout Christian theology, there has been much discussion about the elect, or those chosen by God. We do not want to wade into this discussion that is deeply embedded in the theological teachings of many Christian denominations.
It is better to say that when believers have experienced faith, as John says, “he who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself” (1 John 5:9 NKJV). They know, without question, that Jesus came from God. They have this knowledge because they are chosen.
When a believer has been “Born of God and knows God,” knows that “love comes from God,” and has learned to “love one another” (1 John 4:7), they know they have been chosen. They know by an inner confidence that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13).
They know they are chosen by God. They know it by the Spirit God gives; they know it from within because they love God, love others, and wish to be pure and true as God is. They are “God’s elect” (1 Pet 1:1) because they show themselves to be so by their good fruits in their lives; they love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and hands.
Yet the redeemed of the Lord will confess their sins and seek to be holy as He is holy. They shun evil and will not trust their “earthly natures” (Col 3:5). They seek to “put to death” and “rid themselves” of evil deeds (Col 3:5-8), day by day.
Their “work” is “produced by faith,” their “labor prompted by love.” Their “endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 1:3). The chosen trust in God for “righteousness that comes by faith” (Rom 4:13). The chosen know they are only “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:24). The chosen know they live for a purpose “to live in peace, and… to build up one another” (Rom 14:19).
The Ten Virtues
Practiced by God’s Chosen and Loved People
(1) The Practice of Compassion
Compassion is a deep feeling about someone’s difficulty or misfortune; if possible, it seeks to ease the distress of a troubled individual. Without considering the inconvenience, hardship, or time commitment.
This same word, compassion, is used by God to describe Himself. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor 1:3 NIV).
Compassion, in its fullness, gives assurance, comfort, support, and consolation to another in loss, sorrow, or pain.
Compassion is a constant in our lives, never in remission.
Compassion is open-ended, caring for men, women, children, or animals.
Compassion is often seen as pity, which goes beyond what is just necessary, as in the Good Samaritan: “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ (Luke 10:33-35).
Compassion is an expression of love that is pure: “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5).
Compassion is felt internally, as we listen to the world news and feel compassion for those who have suffered great loss in far-away locations.
Compassion is greater than kindness, for kindness is most often seen in short encounters. But compassion, above all things, is to be kind, true, and helpful.
Compassion makes friends of the wounded, broken, sick, and the troubled. Hoping for an opening to help them or befriend them.
Compassion has a strong tendency to avoid criticism and casting blame on those who need our kind compassion.
Compassion and mercy are twins coming from “God, who is rich in mercy” (Eph 2:4) because “His compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22). “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (Ps 103:8).
Compassion is the most widely appreciated human quality that is admired by the vast majority of people in every country and location in the world.
Compassion is always helpful and supportive, never destructive.
(2) The Practice of Kindness
Kindness is seen in everyday actions. Greeting strangers with thoughtfulness.
Kindness is something as simple as a kind word to a stranger that we meet in life.
Kindness has its origin rooted in our good thoughts about others.
Kindness is seen in gentleness and patience for others.
Kindness is not put out over the rudeness of others, because “the Most High…is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35).
Kindness has the face of patience.
Kindness is never two-faced, as in being kind for the advantage we may gain over others.
Kindness is most often welcomed by strangers and friends alike.
Kindness just for kindness sake, no other reason, is like short notes of beautiful music.
Kindness is best seen when it is unthoughtfully expressed.
Kindness is the perfume of love that may just last a second; however, when it is breathed into the soul of another, it creates in them a needed response for them also to be kind.
Kindness is sunshine to those in the dark of soul.
Kindness is helpfulness in word or deed, with no strings attached.
Kindness returns to the giver of kindness a joy that brings life satisfaction.
This word is used by God, showing kindness to us in the coming ages of eternity: “In the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7). God’s kindness to us into an endless eternity will make our lives full and rich beyond estimate.
(3) The Practice of Humility
Humility is a quality of having a humble opinion of oneself, as we approach God in prayer, Scripture study, praise, and worship.
Humility is the first Beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is [present tense] the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:5). Those who recognize their deep spiritual poverty. They admit to God that they cannot save themselves, have nothing to give, and have no work to perform to gain heaven's favor. This is the heart of worship. To those who acknowledge their bankruptcy before God, the kingdom of heaven is given.
Humility is an inside-out virtue created by an awareness that we have been “called to belong to Jesus Christ” (Rom 1:6). To follow the humble “son of man” (Matt 8:20) “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Phil 2:6-7).
The humble will never believe they have all the truth; they understand everything. Humility always leaves room for more love and further growth in the knowledge of God. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33).
The humble will not present or seek praise from others; they will not put forward their achievements in their life to gain favor and applause.
The humble know they stand in need of more grace; they are aware of their own failures and their great need for more room to grow.
The humble, when they give offerings they “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matt 6:3-4).
o “For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also [I live] with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit [deeply humble], to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isa 57:15)
Humble Servant Leaders
The Humble will become servant leaders, as Jesus has instructed many times: “If anyone wants to be first [leader], he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). There is no room for an autocratic, authoritarian leader, demanding attention be focused on themselves, refusing others to be honored above him. Refusing to empower others with authority by dividing the work, as Jesus did with His twelve disciples and when He sent out the seventy.
“When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over [controlling and dominating] them [the people], and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants [desires] to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20:24-28 NIV
“When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together. He said, “You know about those who are rulers [leaders] of the Gentiles. They hold power over their people. Their high officials order them around [not listen to them]. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them [power over them], and their high officials exercise authority over them [order them around]. Not so with you [Don’t act like that]. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first [the president] must be a slave of all [built up with humility].For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve [others], and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41-45
“A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest [in influence and power]. Jesus said to them, “The kings [presidents] of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority [power over others] over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” Lk 22:24-27 NIV
Servant Leadership Promotes:
Servant Leadership: Leads from the bottom, seeking to make others better. Following the example of the Apostle Paul, who said that he was given “authority [leadership]…for building you up, not for tearing you down” (2 Cor 13:10). Adding, “So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it (2 Cor 10:11).
Servant Leadership: Practices transparency, trust, openness, friendship, and availability to all.
Servant Leadership: Practices teamwork with shared responsibility.
Servant Leadership: Builds trust, love, and community, bringing group cooperation together.
Servant Leadership: Has clear objectives with shared goals that all agree on.
Servant Leadership: Cares for others like a good shepherd, promoting the talents of others.
Servant Leadership: Seeks to do good to others at every opportunity provided.
Servant Leadership: Holds themselves fully accountable to others, with a “pure heart, a good conscience, with sincere faith” in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim 1:5). Always moves in this direction.
(4) The Practice of Gentleness’
Gentleness is like a large, muscle-bound man picking up a small, abandoned kitten in the gutter. He adapts his strength to hold the cold, frightened kitten close to his chest. Giving it warmth, security, comfort, and support.
Gentleness is seen in careful attention to the needs of those who are weaker, more vulnerable, or helpless.
Gentleness is help given carefully and cautiously so as not to injure or frighten the one being helped.
Gentleness is seen in a quiet demeanor that has reservoir strength when needed.
Gentleness is seen in polite language, without cursing or using abusive words.
Gentleness is seen when caring for the infirm or sick in a manner that preserves their modesty and dignity.
Gentleness is seen in peace-loving ways.
Gentleness is perceived in the eyes of one who is kind.
Gentleness is often bundled with love and warm care.
Gentleness is pure-minded and pure in heart.
Gentleness is reflexive in nature, without thinking or planning.
Gentleness cares much and is troubled by rude behavior.
Gentleness favors the weak, the vulnerable, and the helpless.
The Gentle are more often in the background than in the foreground. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Phil 4:5). The Lord is near to the gentle. The rude, insensitive, or abusive are far from God’s blessings and presence.
(5) Practice of Patience
Patience, when combined with kindness, is a true friend.
Patience is willing to take the long way, requiring more time than needed, without complaining.
Patience will not push ahead when it could easily be done, but instead will wait for the slower to catch up.
The patient will always keep in mind God’s patience with them. They will “remember that we are saved because our Lord is patient” (2 Pet 3:15 ICB).
The patient will not humiliate a slow learner.
The patient will learn to wait on the Lord. What they “hope for” and “do not yet have” they learn to “wait for it patiently” (Rom 8:25).
The patient does not stir up conflict, but with “patient calms a quarrel” (Prov 15:8).
The patient learns to wait “patiently for the Lord,” knowing He will hear my prayers (Ps 40:1).
Love is patient” (1 Cor 13:4).
Be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:2)
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Ps 37:7
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Ps 5:3
“Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4 NKJV).
(6) The Practice of Bearing with each other
The Greek word for “bear with” is anechó: it means “to endure, to bear with, to tolerate, to hold up, to show toleration, or to carry them.” Making allowances for their slowness to understand and to perform a required task. Consider their age, sex, background, parentage, physical limitations, and level of education. To be patient, kind, and understanding of the emotions and trauma they have endured in their lives. Don’t expect perfection from others when we know that we ourselves are far from perfect. Allow others to make mistakes; sometimes just expect it and meet it with understanding. Look to the future when experience and time will change the present outlook.
Bearing with others:
Over things we cannot change, such as their physical or mental limitations.
As we encourage them to learn new skills or further their education.
Those who are taking the first steps into faith and are weak and easily deceived.
Those who have been divorced and are unfortunate in love.
Those who often disappoint us due to their personal flaws.
Those who are unkind to us in their demeanor.
Those who need much patience from us.
Those who are of a lower social class than us.
When repeated forgiveness is needed from us.
When we just can’t understand why they do what they do.
Those who have acted foolishly, bringing on unnecessary trouble.
Bearing with the
Aged and infirm.
The mistakes of the youth.
The Pastor whose sermons are not inspiring and are disappointing to us.
Bearing with our partner in marriage, in disappointment. Remembering that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).
(7) The Practice of Forgiving Others as You Have Been Forgiven
Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983) tells of being sent to Ravensbrück in WWII. There she lost her sister, telling her before she died from severe abuse to have no hate. Corrie was released by mistake, the day before she was to be killed. After the war, she held meetings in Berlin on forgiveness. One time, a man from the audience, whom she recognized as one of the cruel guards, extended his hand and asked her to forgive him. As she told it, it seemed impossible to do so, considering the recent memory of his personal hatred and abuse, but by the grace of God, she stretched out her hand in forgiveness.
God is calling you right now, wherever you sit; don’t let animosity and hatred rest in your heart for one more second. By faith, confess it all to God. God wants you to hear the words, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt 25:34). There you “will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matt 13:42). Be there or be nowhere.
(8) The Practice of Putting on LOVE, Without It, Nothing Else Matters at All
*Without love, compassion is just for the job at hand.
Without love, kindness is short-lived.
Without love, humility is displayed to receive praise for one’s own humility.
Without love, gentleness is just for show, to impress another.
Without love, patience is just self-serving or done with impatience.
Without love, to bear with another is to put them under obligation.
“Do everything in love.” 1 Cor 16:14.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 1:8
The Absolute Truth
Dear friends, let us love one another,
for love comes from God.
Everyone [all] who loves has been born of God
and knows God [personally]. 1 John 4:7
The Opposite of the Truth
Whoever does not love does not know God [at all],
because God is love. 1 John 4:8 NIV
(9) Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts. All believers are members of one body, in Christ. Therefore, we all are called to be at peace with each other.
Real peace comes from faith in Christ. It comes from Christ dwelling in our “hearts through faith,” and “being rooted and established in love” (Eph 3:17). Peace is a natural consequence of our faith and love in Christ.
In Christ, we are called to create a “bond of peace” with other believers.
There is only “one Spirit” for all of us.
There is “one hope,” that is the same hope for all of us.
There is “one body” that is in “the Gospel of Christ” (Rom 15:19) for all of us.
There is “one Lord”, the only name that we all are saved in.
There is “one faith”, the same faith for everyone, all over the world, all at the same time.
There is “one baptism”, which is the means of burying our sins, the same for all of us.
There is “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in you all”.
There is one “grace” given to each believer individually, all the same grace. Eph 4:3-7
Peace is the presence of the Spirit in our lives. Peace is sent to us by the Spirit, to dwell in us and with us wherever we go. For “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6).
Peace is a state of inner harmony, sourced from within the “body temple” by the presence of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22). When we lose this Spirit-given peace, it creates a feeling of spiritual discomfort and a loss of peace and joy in the Lord. If this occurs, stop and pray. Look for the cause and confess it as soon as you know that peace has disappeared.
Peace is sensitive, and guilty actions will bring turmoil and fearfulness back into our thoughts.
The loss of peace warns us to stop and pray for direction and discernment. Find out what is spiritually numbing us. Peace guards our hearts and spiritually alerts us when false steps have been taken.
Peace comes from the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6), made available to us because we “are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph 2:22).
Inner peace with God is the best mental health a person can possess. It is drug-free; it is applied inside our minds and hearts by the Spirit of God. This peace silences the wild thoughts, feelings, emotions, and temptations of the flesh. Thus, our hearts will not be “troubled” or “afraid” of events in our lives that are very distressing.
Triple Peace, From God our Father, His Son and His Spirit
“The peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7 Common English Bible).
“Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood” (Phil 4:7 NIRV).
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7 NAS)
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:2)
“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isa 32:17).
“For the kingdom of God is… righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom 15:13).
(10) The Practice of Being Thankful
The Greek word for thankful carries the idea of gratefulness for what spiritual, physical, material, or other blessings and benefits, blessings just for you, that you have received in your life. “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Ps 103:2 NKJV).
“Pray without ceasing, [and] in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:17,18 NKJV). And don’t complain, although it is very easy to compare yourself to others. If so, we will lose the peace that comes from thankfulness. Believe us, it is a wonderful peace.
Don’t find fault with others. Don’t compare yourself with others, leading you to further complaints. Such as “Lord, why wasn’t I given the gift of playing the piano like someone else?” Or “Lord, why wasn’t I given the opportunity to have more money, a nicer home, newer cars, or honor like someone else? Lord, why was I given that position that I believed I could do a better job? Paul’s model was “I always pray with joy” (Phil 1:4), not with complaints.
If anyone could complain, it was Paul. He recounts, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones” (2 Cor 11:24,25). Yet he did not complain. Even while in prison, as he is writing this letter to the Colossians, he tells us to be thankful.
Paul recounts: “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:7-9). So, Paul stopped praying about it, rejoicing that true strength comes from weakness.
Remember, it is God’s will that we be thankful for everything we do have, for all the opportunities that are given to us. With no complaints. Instead, “By prayer and petition [heartfelt request], with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6,7).
“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col 1:6,7). To grow in grace and faith, notice the importance of thankfulness.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Col 3:15). Notice how inner peace flows from outward thankfulness.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col 4:2).
Having Thanksgiving
· “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song” (Ps 95:2)
· “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Ps 100:4). Notice the importance of entering church with thankfulness.
· “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil 4:6). Notice the importance of mixing thankfulness, for “everything”, with our prayers. We believe that when we fall into a complaining attitude, we become more vulnerable to old temptations we have gained victory over. We are more likely to not appreciate the gift of love we have for our spouse, children, and friends.
· “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you, [and] do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thess 5:18,19 NKJV). We have learned that a complaining attitude about the circumstances of your life will lessen the joy of the Lord and the joy that comes from the fruits of the Spirit. Over time, it will cast a pall of darkness over your soul, leading to more complaining about life.
Give Thanks
· “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Ps 106:1)
· “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind” (Ps 107:8.15,21)
· “I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation” (Ps 118:21)
· “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:18 NIV).
Thanks Be to God
· “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom 7:25).
· “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:27).
· But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Cor 2:14).
· “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” (2 Cor 9:15).
· “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:19,20).
· “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20).
· “Giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” (Col 1:12)
· 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” (Col 3:17)
How To Practice Thankfulness?
First: Thank God for revealing Himself to you personally. Thank God for the love you know is in your heart. For every spiritual blessing. For understanding of Scripture. For wisdom and guidance God has given to you. For forgiveness of sins. Thank God for the hope of eternal life and all that your imagination pictures it.
Second: Be thankful to God for your spouse, your children, your friends, your food, and your animals. Be thankful for your home, your clothes, and your health (whatever part you can). For being alive today.
Third: In prayer, be thankful for everything good in your life. No matter how small. Name them all, at different times throughout the day. Such as a good night's rest.
Fourth: Be thankful for safe travel mercies. Be thankful for the sun, the moon, the springtime, and the white snow.
Let thankfulness be part of every prayer. Soon you will have more to be thankful for, as God gives you the opportunity to do good to others. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb 13:16).
To be “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20).
Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly [abundantly] as you teach and admonish [encourage] one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit [spiritual songs], singing to God with gratitude [grace] in your hearts. NIV
3:16 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. NKJV
This is a brief description of an early church service.
The early church celebrated the word of Christ; in Greek, it is “logos Christos”, meaning “the word or message, anointed one, or the Messiah.” “You are already clean because of the word(s) which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). The Messiah's words and teachings were central in worship and prayer.
· “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).
Teach and Admonish One Another
In the Apostolic church, everyone had the opportunity to share, teach spiritual lessons they had learned, and give advice and warnings to new members. It was a fully involved church, as they taught and encouraged one another, “through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9).
They Sang Together
They sang deeply spiritual songs, inspired by the Spirit. They sang Psalms of praise with thanksgiving.
The NIV gives a better translation, saying, “songs from the Spirit.” While the NKJV simply says, “spiritual songs.” These were Spirit-inspired songs and words that God gave to them.
The Text
The NIV uses the word "gratitude," which does not capture the real meaning of the passage. The Greek word is charis, meaning grace, and the NKJV translates it correctly: “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Their songs were sung about the goodness of God, His love, “the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).
The Word of Christ Dwells Richly Among Us
All the teaching of Christ and His apostles is true riches. In the early worship, there were reasonable verbal explanations of the Word from the Gospels and letters of Paul that they had access to.
The Word of God is to be present among us. Not just in church leadership that leads us in teaching and preaching. But in all the members of the fellowship. This is the goal of Christian fellowship—uplift the Word. That the love of it, the joy of it, and the honor it brings to our hearts are seen everywhere.
Teach and Admonish One Another— “Through All the Wisdom and Understanding that the Spirit gives” to us (Col 1:9)
To admonish means to give to each other instruction from the wisdom learned from God and to urge others to be faithful. Paul’s ministry was to teach “everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Col 1:28). No one is left out of this instruction. It was very personal, and many were involved in sharing and teaching. They had the last words of Jesus fresh in their minds: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19-20). The words of Christ were in their hearts, giving them inspiration and wisdom in all that they shared.
There are hundreds of ways to admonish and to encourage one another in our Christian fellowship.
· To remind each other of the promises of God.
· To keep alive “the hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2).
· To “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).
· To keep God’s commands “to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He [God] commanded us” (1 John 3:23).
· To openly discuss God’s “incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph 1:19).
· To “rejoice in God’s great love with which he loved us and made us alive with Christ…it is by grace that we have been saved” (Eph 2:6).
· To know that “through faith in him [Christ] we may approach [have access] to God with freedom and confidence” (Eph 3:12).
· To “walk in the way of love, just as Christ has loved us” (Eph 5:1).
· To pray that our “love increase and overflow for each other” (1 Thess 3:12).
· As children of light, to “find out”, try to learn “what pleases the Lord” (Eph 5:10; 1 Thess 4:1).
· To learn how to “be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.” And how to “put on the full armor of God” (Eph 6:10.11).
· To rejoice together that we are “justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Rom 3:28).
All Wisdom from the Spirit
The source of all wisdom is the Spirit. Paul prayed for the Ephesians that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father” would give us “the Spirit of wisdom” (Eph 1:17).
To the Colossians, Paul prayed for “God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9).
Songs from the Spirit have a sanctifying influence on us. Through Spirit-inspired words and melody, our hearts are moved closer to God in surrender and love. Through Psalms of praise and thanksgiving, Spirit-filled music influences us with “faith and love” (Col 1:5).
Sometimes Christian music is not uplifting. This is because the singer does not love God from the heart and is more interested in self-promotion.
Psalms, Hymns and Songs from the Spirit
Hymns
They are religious songs, often in a celebratory or dedicatory mode. Today there are hundreds of spiritual songs in church hymnals.
Psalms Focused
The Psalms take on new meaning as understood through the life of Christ. Paul teaches us that “the message of Christ” can be taught through the “wisdom of the Psalms” (Col 3:16). The Psalms should have a central place in every worship service, for they also speak to us in spiritual language that reaches our hearts and changes our lives. They give to us hope, courage, and love for God and His Son.
The Early church was Psalms-focused. They were to encourage each other by quoting the Psalms in verses. Singing the Psalms with voice and instruments.
It is estimated that Jesus quoted from the Psalms about 50 times. In the New Testament, the Psalms are quoted about 116 times, with about 400 allusions. This is more than any other Old Testament book. Thus, the Psalms should have a central place in worship.
We can imagine the first believers coming together, sharing encouraging, heartwarming, and uplifting Psalms of praise and trust in their worship service. The Psalms and the gospel uniquely go together; they blend more easily than any other Old Testament book or the five books written by Moses.
Some of the best-known modern worship praise songs use phrases from the Psalms more than any other book in the Bible.
To the Colossian believers, Paul instructs them to repeat the Psalms in worship. Singing and reading the Psalms creates a rhythm of praise and trust in God, bringing vibrant color and opening us to embrace uplifting, encouraging, life-changing thoughts. A worship service without praise Psalms is half empty.
Spiritual Music
We are encouraged to keep spiritual music playing throughout the day. It should be inspirational music that causes you to feel the movement of the Spirit on the strings of your heart. We should come to know the songs that awaken the spirit of praise and devotion to God and move your heart.
Songs that awaken prayer and love for God. You will know which songs are Spirit-filled songs. You will know which songs leave you empty. Songs of praise that sing of the love of God are the life-giving sap that runs from the “Vine” to the “Branches” (John 15:1-6).
Some songs invite darkness into our hearts. In time, this darkness will dominate and obscure Spirit-filled songs. Dark songs, of lust and greed, don’t mix with Spirit-filled songs. They will dampen our love of God in song. Soon we will attend church and sit in our seats with no “joy of the Lord” (Neh 8:10).
Paul told the Colossian believers to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly… through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Col 3:16). Thus, by Spirit songs, the believer can take the peace of Christ with them through the day.
Wonderful is a worship service that offers warm, heart-embracing songs that inspire us to praise and open us up to worship because “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). With truth deep inside us, not formal or untouched by the Spirit, with “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).
· “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.” Ps 100:1,2 NIV
Psalm 150 lists many of the instruments used by Israel when David was their King. Thus, it is proper to use every instrument that we can to praise God during worship service. Everyone in worship was to praise God with all their breath.
“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”
The Hebrew word for “shout” means “to cry out, to make a loud noise, to sound an alarm.” In Psalms 47 we are told to “clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”
In 1 Chron 15:28, we see a picture of the Israelites worshiping God “with shouts, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps.” We should never be ashamed of loud music with vocal praise in song, accompanied by many different instruments, in worship of God. For God is not ashamed of it either when praise is the intended purpose.
Songs from Spirit
Thus, the passage could be translated as “Spirit Songs”. Songs inspired by the Holy Spirit, songs that move your heart to love and praise God. Songs that are deeply spiritual, awakening worship of God in our hearts. These songs will regenerate more love for God and more inner peace. Through music, we become more aware of the Spirit’s presence in our hearts and sing songs of appreciation.
We are to teach and share about the goodness of God “to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19). “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Ps 34:8).
We are to Sing Songs from the Spirit
· We are to “Pray in the Spirit” (Eph 6:18).
· We are to “Worship in the Spirit” (John 4:24).
· We are to praise “God in the Spirit” (1 Cor 4:16).
· We are to receive “love in the Spirit” (Col 1:8).
· We are to “be made alive in the Spirit” (1 Pet 3:18).
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word [speech] or deed [action, work], do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, [always] giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV
3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, [always] giving thanks to God the Father through Him. NKJV
3:17 Do everything you say or do in the name of the Lord Jesus. Always give thanks to God the Father through Christ. NIRV
This advice follows the preceding instructions to sing songs from the Spirit. Where God’s word dwells richly in us with all wisdom (Col 3:16), the natural result will be carrying the name of Jesus as a public witness all day long. As we work on our assigned tasks of the day, we do it in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. With much thanksgiving for all things good. For every answered prayer, for hope for further answered prayers. For more love to God and others, and for more Spirit-given joy and peace.
Do all things in the Name of the Lord Jesus
Paul started his letters to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Corinthians with the expression “Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God”. Except in Second Timothy, where Paul says, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 1:1).
Paul kept his calling foremost in mind so he would never forget who he represents in his teachings.
In a similar way, we can move throughout our day, attending to the many tasks that need to be done, saying, “I do this in the name of our Lord Jesus. Permitting God to direct us, as the Lord of our lives, so that we may do His will in all we say and in the daily work we are assigned. This keeps with the Lord’s prayer: “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).
“Your will be done, on earth [in my life] as it is in heaven”
Just as God’s will and His plans are done in all of heaven, we pray that we will live today according to His will. Every morning, as we put our feet on the ground, we pray to God that we will do His will today. We look for His guidance each day, with a humbled, surrendered heart.
We must permit God to direct us so that we may do His will in the work we are assigned, with much thanksgiving, for in this way we carry His presence with us all day long.
Believers must look to God's will daily for their lives, because they admit that their judgment and wisdom often lead them astray. History has repeated this millions of times. Many have their understanding closed because they live in the “dominion of darkness” (Col 1:13).
As we go forward in calling of our daily lives, in the name of the Lord. Not making our position of authority, nor our abilities and talents, prominent or worthy of all honor.
Giving thanks to God for all things, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,” during the day or night, “do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). Our desire is to express God's goodness at any time of day. When we go to bed and when we rise in the morning. We pray that we will do the will of God today and thank Him for everything, even the small blessings and abilities that come to our minds.
How do we move forward in daily jobs, challenges, and difficulties when we are burdened by fear and dread of making a mistake, or feel inadequate? We step out with trust in God, remembering the times He has blessed us with His favor. We continue the day in faith in God, who said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb 13:5), a comfort for those feeling inadequate for their day’s tasks. We keep hope on the horizon, even as the clouds darken and threaten. Hope sees through the despair into the promises of God that are yet to be discerned.
We make every effort to stay positive, placing the weight of our burdens and the unsolvable problems we face on God. As the Angel said to young Mary, the mother of Jesus, “for with God nothing will be impossible” (Lk 1:37). So why dwell on the negative?
We should make it a habit to thank God for every blessing and favor we have in life. If we can thank God for our daily activities, we will be guided by a Spirit-led conscience that approves our choices of food, clothes, work, recreation, and everything else in our lives.
Colossians 3:17 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. NIV
Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting [acceptable to] in the Lord.
3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh [abusive] with them. NIV
3:18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting [suitable] in the Lord. 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter [mean-spirited] toward them. NLKV
3:18 Wives, follow the lead of your husbands. That’s what the Lord wants you to do. 3:19 Husbands, love your wives. Don’t be mean to them. NIRV
The Context: The Need for Home Leadership
Paul is addressing committed Christian families. He believed that the home should have order, as God had arranged after Eden. Order meant there would be leadership. Jesus spent considerable time teaching his disciples true leadership.
Leadership of Jesus
· Jesus called them together. He said, “You know about the rulers of the Gentiles. They hold power over their people. Their high officials order them around [always telling them what to do]. Don’t be like that. Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant [to serve]. And anyone who wants to be first must be your slave [to help, to support, to aid]” (Matt 20:25-26).
· “At that time, the disciples came to Jesus. They asked him, “Then who is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them. Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:1-3 NIRV).
· True leaders in the family will keep the law of Christ: “Carry one another’s heavy loads. If you do, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2 NIRV).
Leadership of Peter
Jesus placed Peter as the leader of the twelve. When a crisis arose in the early church, the believers turned to leadership. First, “the apostles and elders,” who met together “to consider this question, but were unable to resolve it. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them” (Acts 15:6-7). Notice that Peter did not speak first; after much discussion, as the appointed leader by Christ, he settled the issue. This has been accepted by all Christians to this day and remains settled.
Leadership of Paul
Paul was given authority by Christ as the “apostle to the Gentiles” (Gal 2:8). When trouble arose in the Corinthian church, he wrote to them that he did not want to abuse his authority. He wrote, “The Lord gave me the authority to build you up. He didn’t give it to me to tear you down” (2 Cor 13:10 NIRV). Earlier in the letter, he wrote, “It may seem as though we boast too much about the authority the Lord gave us. But he gave us this authority to strengthen you, not to hurt you. So, I will not be ashamed of whatever boasting we do” (2 Cor 10:8 Easy-to-Read Version).
The point we do not want to miss is that the husband’s authority is never to be used to hurt or humiliate and tear down his wife or children into tears. This is an abuse of authority and does not reflect the Lord, who said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt 5:5). It is cruel and authoritarian. It is the opposite of what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
· “Blessed are the merciful [husband], for they will be shown mercy.”
· “Blessed are the peacemakers [husband], for they will be called children of God”
Husband Was to provide strong, Christ-like leadership in His Home.
In the Christian sense, leadership meant taking on a servant role. As Jesus taught, “Anyone who wants to be first [be the leader] must be the very last, and the servant [helper and caretaker] of all” (Mark 9:35).
The Christian leader takes on the same role as his Savior, who said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). A “good” husband will take on the hardest task for his wife and care for her needs, to favor her, before his own comfort.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:14-16). The family hears the voice of the husband and comes freely, not out of fear, but out of love for the shepherd husband who would lay down his life to protect his wife and children. No questions asked.
The husband will lead his family into “green pasture” if it is in his power. He will walk beside them “through the darkest valley,” and they will fear no evil (Ps 23).
Advice to Wives
The Greek word for fitting is ἀνέκo, which means “suitable, appropriate, acceptable and proper.” A wife is obligated to follow her conscience if it conflicts with her husband’s wishes. Her husband is not her Lord or Savior. He is not her conscience nor the voice of Spirit that directs her ways.
The husband's response to her is not to be “harsh” (Col 3:15). He is not to be mad, but patient. Because his wife does not obey his direct orders, she has a God-given right to express her conscientious convictions or objections. As a man of God, he will respect this and also look to His wife for her opinion.
A wife is not to submit to doing something unsuitable for her, such as carrying very heavy loads on her back, because her husband ordered it. Nor should her husband require her to do long, extra hard work while pregnant or nursing an infant.
The wife was not to submit to her husband in doing something improper. For instance, she might be requested to wear clothes that, in her mind, are immoral. She has her own conscience from her own walk with God. The husband should and needs to respect this.
As Fitting To the Lord
What her husband wants his wife to submit to must be in harmony with her faith and with what her Lord would request of her. In the above verses (Col 3:5-10), there is a list of forbidden activities. She cannot freely submit to her husband's authority in any of these behaviors. Neither can she submit to her husband’s demands that would require her to deny her Lord and Savior.
In Col 3:12-15, there is a list of ten habits and practices that honor God. To this the wife should voluntarily display in her marriage.
Husbands were Not to be Harsh with their Wives
In this, Paul tells husbands not to treat their wives harshly or abuse them. The wife is not his property, like a slave to her master. “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves… for their good, to build them up.” (Rom 15:1,2).
A married man is to learn “how he can please his wife” (1 Cor 7:33). And “a married woman…how she can please her husband” (1 Cor 7:34).
Peter’s Counsel to Husbands
Peter repeats this same lesson, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7).
Peter says that if a husband abuses his wife, it will hinder his prayers, making them less fervent and less assured in faith. An abusive husband could destroy his own faith and risk the loss of eternal life.
“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Gal 6:8). What does it mean to please the Spirit? It means to seek after the nine fruits of the Spirit, which should be the family's standard currency.
“The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace [these three must influence the remaining six]: patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal 5:23,23 NAS)
Peter’s, Who Was Married, Gives Advice to Women who are Married to Non-Believing Husbands.
Peter writes, “Submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” (1 Pet 3:1,2). A kind and loving woman is often the very means God uses to lead her husband to repentance.
Submitting to Each Other
To the Ephesians, Paul gave a much longer description of marriage. He opens with a strong command: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21). This was not the Roman or Greek way, as women had nearly no rights in marriage by law and custom.
Paul’s words carry forward the idea of humility from earlier in the chapter. Equally, together, toward each other, the hands and hearts of the husband and wife are to be merged. No husband or wife can claim to be a little higher, a little better, a little wiser than the other. Yet godly leadership is given to the husband, and the wife must not take it from him; if so, it creates a very weak man.
Often the wife will be better at finance than the man. A good man will see the Lord leading in their various skills. Each will seek to make the other better and to promote the other for their betterment. Neither will claim authority over the other.
The submission of both husband and wife to each other is out of respect for Christ. The husband submits to his wife, who has the care of the home and other tasks she is assigned. The NKJV declares, “in the fear of God,” meaning they will keep the will of God in mind, individually, always uppermost in their minds.
A good husband will want his wife to be in communication with God's will, her Father. A good wife will want her husband to be committed in prayer to God's will for the family.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. NIV
3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. NKJV
Children Obey Your Parents
Paul is writing about the families in the church in the Roman province of Phrygia, in the city of Colossae. Not to pagan families, but to mothers and fathers who love God and enjoy “love in the Spirit” (Col 1:8). Parents who “truly understand God’s grace” (Col 1:6) in their lives.
Thus, children would be very safe in pleasing their parents. This is what God requires of children, especially in families of faith. From childhood to maturity, they should be trained to “find out what pleases the Lord” (Eph 5:10). Rebellion often starts before maturity and then grows further in adulthood.
Even in families that are not committed to Christ, or where only one parent is a believer, Christian children should avoid stubborn disobedience that makes family life difficult. They are to foster compliance in areas where the Lord, whom they love, would allow them. Children in the Lord will avoid “bitterness and anger” (Eph 4:31), even if they suffer due to their parents’ faults.
· “My children, come. Listen to me. I will teach you to have respect for the Lord. Do you love life and want to see many good days? Then keep your tongues from speaking evil. Keep your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Look for peace and go after it” (Ps 34:11-14 NIRV).
· “May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Ps 115:14-15
· “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” 1 Pet 1:14
· “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph 5:1-2
· “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
Colossians 3:21 Fathers [parents], do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. NIV
3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. NKJV
Fathers
The Greek word for father is plural, which can be used for either male or female parent. They were to be united in their discipline.
Embitter
Parents were not to discipline their children to the point that they became resentful. They were not to break their spirits, leaving them discouraged and mad. Making them feel wrongly abused, without reason.
Parents are not to punish their children for too long or too harshly, with little or no compassion. Parents are to remember Jesus words, “My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
If parents study 1 Corinthians 13 together and make love a passion and a major purpose in life—their children will have a happy childhood.
Slavery, Subjection and Eternal Inheritance
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 3:24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving [working for]. 3:25 Anyone who does wrong [the slave owner] will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism [leave revenge to God]. NIV
3:22 Bondservants, obey in all things your master’s according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men [the slave master], 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 3:25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. NKJV
3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching—like those who are strictly people-pleasers—but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. 3:23 Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, 3:24 because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ. 3:25 For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions. NET Bible
Basic premise: Christian Slaves Were to be Set Apart
1. Slaves were to obey their masters in everything. Slaves were to obey in all things and in every respect. (Col 3:22).
2. Their obedience must not be to earn their master’s favor, as men-pleasers (Col 3:22)
3. Their obedience must spring from sincerity of heart. (Col 3:22). This might be very challenging, considering the inhuman treatment that could be given to slaves. However, history reports that many Roman slaves were loved and regarded almost as family.
4. Paul requested that Titus, who was a church leader in Crete, “teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them” (Titus 2:9). Under Roman law, slaves had no legal right to demand better food and improved working
conditions, adequate sleeping quarters, or privacy.
5. Slaves were to “submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh” (1 Pet 2:18). Even if their master was ill-tempered, demanding, and abusive, they were not to retaliate with anger. Many masters noticed that compliant slaves differed from uncooperative ones; thus, their faith was shown to be honorable.
6. They were to respect and fear their master’s rank and authority (Eph 6:5). They were to view themselves “as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart” (Eph 6:6). In their daily assigned tasks, they were not to let bitterness control them.
Slavery in the Roman World
The Roman Empire maintained slavery largely through warfare and foreign conquest. Slavery formed the backbone of its economy, legal framework, history, and culture. Every nation across the Mediterranean world during Paul’s era participated in some form of forced servitude.
Slaves could serve as tutors, childcare, household attendants, managers, artisans, and agricultural laborers. Slaves could be assigned to help the mistress of the household or serve as a cook.
Slaves were property of the slave owner, just as one would own an animal. Slaves had no legal rights, could be sold, disciplined, abused, or killed at their owner’s discretion. Physical punishment was common for minor infractions if the slave displeased their master. Sexual access was treated as a legal right of Roman slave owners, which would be very difficult for young female Christian slaves.
Christian Slaves and Special Diets
Slaves, male or female, were to “obey” their masters “in everything”; they had no personal rights to express their conscience if it contradicted their master’s express command.
For instance, while the Jerusalem Council asked Gentile believers to abstain from certain foods—" from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals” (Acts 15:29). The slave serving a pagan household rarely had control over the meat provided to them.
If the master offered his slave meat offered to idols, soaked in blood, the believing slave was to “submit” themselves to the wishes of their master, without complaining.
The Lasting Impact of a Christian Slave
If the Christian slave endeared themselves to their enslaver through loving service, and the master came to trust his Christian slave, this slave would have more freedom to choose their diet and maintain their purity.
If the mistress tested her Christian slave, for instance, by leaving jewelry on a table and nothing was ever stolen. Then, over time, the Christian slave would be trusted and valued, resulting in more personal freedom to practice their faith.
The simple, uncomplaining, truthful, and honest slave would witness to this Roman family. We will never know how many slave owners came to faith because they saw faith at work, up close, in their slave. Also, we will never know the impact of the Christian slave on other slaves of the household who came to faith in Christ due to the influence of a Christian salve.
Sabbath Keeping Under Roman Enslavement
The Christian slave was not to demand Sabbath worship from their pagan master, unless the master voluntarily allowed it. If the master assigned them domestic duties or field work on the Sabbath day, the slave was to comply without objection. Even if forced to work in violation of the fourth Commandment, which specifically states: Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…” (Ex 20:9-10). They were not to object but instead to “obey” their masters, “in all things and in every respect.”
The slave knew that if they worked for their master on the Sabbath, with sincerity of heart, not anger or bitterness. God would count their hard labor as done for Him and would reward it accordingly. If, on the Sabbath day, the slave was ordered to plant a field, the work they did would be rewarded as if they were doing evangelism next to Peter or Paul.
The Early Church did not teach religious liberty as a civil right for Christians. They followed Jesus' example, who did not publicly condemn Rome for any of its abuses.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. God has established the authorities that exist. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom 13:1-2).
Paul Was Not a Public Social Justice Reformer
Paul did not advocate social justice; he was not a political activist. He did not seek to overturn Roman civil law, nor did he petition the Roman Senate to grant civil rights or religious freedom to Christian slaves.
To Paul’s associate, Titus, he wrote: “Remind the people” in your sermons, “to be subject to rulers and authorities,” to Roman governors and representatives. Then Paul adds they were “to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good” to Rome and its authority. Furthermore, they were “to slander no one” but “to be peaceable” (Titus 3:1-2). The NKJV says they were “to speak evil [curse] of no one” (Titus 3:2 NKJV); the KJV says “to speak evil [insult] of no man” (Titus 3:2 KJV).
Recently, we listened to a highly praised sermon. The title was on humility, a worthy topic. However, after a few Bible verses, he launched into a long condemnation of some police abuse by the government; in his mind, it deserved severe condemnation. He used many graphs and charts to illustrate his point. Sadly, this Pastor did not follow the example of Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, or James, who never spoke condemning words to the pagan Roman Government, although every word would be well deserved. We could not finish his sermon. He did not focus his congregation “on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). We pray that God will forgive, “for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34).
Paul supports the slave class. He even tells the Christian master to treat their slaves “with what is right and fair” (Col 4:1). Paul did not tell the Christian slave owner to free their slaves, but to treat them well.
The book of Philemon is written to a Christian slave owner to receive back his runaway slave, not to consider freeing them from slavery.
If the young Christian church was to survive in Pagan Rome, it had to be seen as law-abiding. If not, they would be crushed and destroyed without mercy.
The Gospel Undermines Slavery
If Paul had taken the public position advocating freedom for slaves, the Roman Government would have destroyed the early Church. Instead, the gospel undermines slavery at its heart through its insistent call for all believers “to love one another” (John 13:34-35).
Paul had previously taught that when we are “renewed in knowledge in the image of our Creator…there is no slave or free” (Col 3:10-[11).
There is no separation between the slave and free classes within Christian fellowship, which was very radical and unheard of in Paul’s time. Within the Christian community there would be many different classes of people: the freeman, the slave owner, the poor, the rich, and the enslaved. They were all one in Christ, “so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Rom 12:5). They were to greet one another as good friends, “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26). Today, we would say, greet one another with a warm, appropriate hug or a welcoming handshake. Today, we would leave the titles off while in fellowship. Not as a governor, doctor, or professor, but as a co-believer in Christ, all of the same family, with God as our common Father. Forever.
Paul told the same thing to the Galatian church, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).
In Christ, by faith, while worshiping God in church, there was no distinction between classes, between men and women, or between the rich and the poor. Women had the same privileges as men, given their talents and spiritual gifts. As Peter said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).
Jesus' greater mission was to set us free from the domination of sin and, in a secondary sense, to give us freedom. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18).
All believers were to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).
All believers were to “love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7,8).
What Were the Advantages of Being a Christian Slave?
For all their hard work and toil for their masters, God promised to reward them with eternal life. Everything they do will be as if it were done for God himself, as if God had asked them. They “will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward” (Col 3:24). Their reward for doing the daily chores and hard toil for a pagan master is eternal life.
1. They were to obey their master as if they were “doing the will of God from your heart” (Eph 6:6).
2. They were to serve their masters, “wholeheartedly as if they were serving the Lord” (Eph 6:7).
3. Slaves were taught by church leaders to “not steal from their masters, but to show that they can be fully trusted” (Titus 3:10).
4. Whatever their assigned work from their master, they were to do it “with all their heart,” as if “working for the Lord, not their human masters” (Col 3:23).
God Will reward the Slave
God was good to slaves. Imagine hours and days of hard work, with little time to sleep or eat, all for the master’s luxury. God will reward the slave's work as if the slaves were working for the Lord. Thus, the Roman slave receives a great reward from God, as if they were an associate pastor with the Apostle Paul.
To prevent anger and revenge at injustice dealt to the slave by the heartless master. Their Lord will personally highly honor them with eternal life in heaven, as children of God. They could leave God to repay for the wrongs done to them by their masters.
The Value of Prayer and Faith
Suppose the servant is abused and does not respond with righteous anger. Then they can call on God, who brings justice to the oppressed, for “the Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed” (Ps 103:6).
We have no idea how many times praying slaves have been delivered from dread and fear of their masters, in answer to the slaves’ prayers.
We have no idea how many times God has distracted an abusive slave owner by requiring him to go on long journeys, away from his home.
We have no idea how often God moved a slave from an oppressive master to a good master, who does not abuse them, in answer to their prayer of faith.
We have no way of knowing the countless times God has protected the trusting slave. For instance, when a Roman master purchased a new group of slaves, his wife went to inspect them. She pointed out a specific young girl who was very different. She told him to leave her alone, and she wanted that slave to be in her care.
We have no idea how many times a slave was given more freedom to worship God in answer to the prayer of the slave. Claiming the promise “If you believe,” in Christ and His way of life, “you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matt 21:22).
We have no idea how many slaves and members of their master’s home became faithful to Jesus on account of the witness of a godly slave.
“He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me” (Ps 18:17).
“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble” (Ps 27:29).
“The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer” (Ps 6:9).
Lessons For Us
The work of a Christian, in countries that deny their faith, while laboring for the state or their unbelieving family, will be rewarded by God as if done for Him. As Paul and Peter advised, believers should not expose themselves to undue hardship by demanding that their faith practice be accepted.
When living in countries that make it legally difficult to worship God openly, they should make every effort to be law-abiding citizens. They should find ways to worship and serve God without directly conflicting with state laws.
It is not a denial of faith when Christians are required to attend a mosque by government overlords or controlling family members. As long as it does not require directly denying Christ. The Christian wife will endeavor to please her unbelieving husband, even if he should require her to conform to religious customs and foods that, as a Christian, she would not follow.
A believer living in an anti-Christian environment must carefully endeavor to be seen as law-abiding, even if it requires compromising personal freedom found in Christ. What that would be would differ from one person to another, after much prayer. No one should condemn another in these difficult situations, as if they have all the answers. They are reminded that we are “children of the living God” (Rom 9:26), who is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). They know that God hears prayers and answers them, often in unexpected ways, for “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials” (2 Pet 2:9).
“In repentance and rest
is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isa 30:15 NIV
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This explains why there are no footnotes in our commentary.
We hold that Scripture is all-sufficient.
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone)
All Bible quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.
This is the end of Colossians Chapter 3