Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 Jesus Christ who leads to a New Vision

Colossians 3:1-11 
Vs 2: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Do you ever wonder where God is leading you and that He just shows it to you? Throughout history, many people have been shown literal visions of God’s will through images and words that communicated God’s plans. Sometimes, God uses symbolism to illustrate his will, as he did in John’s vision in Revelation. Other times, God speaks plainly, as he did when speaking to Ananias about Saul. Though such visions are rare, there are many Scriptures on vision we can learn from in seeking God’s will for our lives.

Vs 1-2: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”.  
As a consequence of our new life in Christ, we Christians need to lift our eyes from the mud at our feet to the stars above. we need to leave behind our concerns, and worldly things so that we might focus our concerns on “the things that are above.” Above, after all, is where Christ now lives and reigns—the same Christ with whom we were joined in baptism and resurrection. He is “seated on the right hand of God”—the place of greatest honor.


Vs 3-4: "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
“For you died” Death is a serious transition. It brings everything to an end. In this case, these Colossian Christians have died to the old order. Their old selves no longer exist. But, for them, death has not been the end. They have been “raised together with Christ” raised to a new life “and your life is hidden with Christ in God” There is a good deal of hiddenness or mystery associated with God. “When Christ, our life, is revealed”. The first thing to notice here is that Paul says that Christ is “our life.” In his letter, he said, “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). He said, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. Now he suggests that what is true for him is true for every Christian that Christ is their life. “with him in glory” When Christ is revealed in glory, he will share that day with his disciples—those who have believed in him and tried to follow his lead. We, too, will be revealed in glory, just as Christ was revealed in glory. 

Vs 5-6: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming."
Put to death, therefore, your members which are on the earth” Since they have died to their old life and been raised to a new life with Christ, it is only right that their thinking and behavior should reflect their new identity. The logical outcome of their changed status is that they “should put to death”. Therefore, they should act the part. They should leave behind their old behaviors that were consistent with their old selves and should live lives consistent with their new selves Then Paul goes to the trouble of providing a list of specifics starting with the most overt (sexual immorality) and regressing back to the root problems that lead to sin (depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness). Adultery was not only prohibited but was punishable by death. There is no doubt that our feelings are important. However, it is not true that we are at the mercy of our feelings and that we cannot exercise control over them. The first step is to use traditional spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible reading, and participation in public worship and Christian fellowship to keep our lives on an even keel.

Vs 7-8: You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. . 
“You also once walked in those, when you lived in them”. Paul reminds the Colossian Christians that they once were guilty of the sins listed in verse 5—sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion and evil desire. They know what that kind of life was like, and they chose to put it behind them when they became Christians. They had been lost, but have now been found. Why would they go back to their old ways?

“but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth”.Paul calls these Colossian Christians to put away the sinful behaviors that had once characterized their lives—and he gives a list of specifics—feelings and behaviors that would be destructive to them personally as well as to the people around them. A person’s anger threatens the well-being of family, friends, coworkers, fellow church members, and nearly everyone else. An angry person is likely to injure others with angry words—and sometimes with physical violence. The person who is malicious is motivated to strike out and injure the other person. When used in relation to other people, it means slander or speaking evil. The use of foul or vulgar language words that others would likely find offensive. Just as a small fire can destroy a great forest, so also the tongue is a fire that has the potential to destroy the whole body.

Vs 9-11: "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."
Paul now speaks in detail against Christians lying to one another. Paul is specifically addressing Christians lying to fellow Christians. Lying to one another is inconsistent with this new life. The old self, of sin and the world, is contrasted with the new self in verse 10. All believers, regardless of class, race, background, age, gender, or ability, are part of the same family. Rather than being petty or deceptive, believers are to treat one another well, speaking the truth in love. All believers are united in Christ, so all believers should act as people committed to their Savior. 

 

Prayer

Lord help us to stay far away from worldly sins and live a perfect Christian life. This I ask in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.
 

Thought for the Day

We live in an ever-changing world. Even when we are surrounded by change, His truth remains constant.

Seena Thomas
Immanuel Marthoma Church Vishrantwadi  Pune, India