"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:1-3)
How easily we get caught up in the inflated importance of traditions! And how often let let false philosophies infiltrate and infect our faith. We also tend to worry about what other people think about us. Our vain and fickle nature predisposes us to all three traps. But in this short letter, Paul gives us reason not to worry because Christians have struggled with these things since the beginning of the church. In fact, the church at Colosse dealt with these very issues.
The apostles hoped to correct many false teachings and to encourage them in the true faith. Therefore the supremacy of Christ runs strong throughout Colossians. Jesus is "the firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15). "All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:16-17). Because of Christ's supremacy, merely human regulations have no more hold on us. The body of the sins of the flesh has been put off (Colossians 2:11), and we have been forgiven.
Paul then provides basic instructions for Godly living. He begins by reminding us that we were "raised with Christ" and that therefore we should "seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1). He reminds us to live without lust, anger, deceit, and greed, but rather to fill our lives with compassion, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. He insists that all believers have an equal standing in the eyes of God, regardless of their race, heritage, background, or sex. He provides a brief set of instructions on how a Christian household is to function (see also Ephesians 5:21-6:9), including guidance for husbands, wives, children, and servants. His key piece of advice is this: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23)
The apostles hoped to correct many false teachings and to encourage them in the true faith. Therefore the supremacy of Christ runs strong throughout Colossians. Jesus is "the firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15). "All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:16-17). Because of Christ's supremacy, merely human regulations have no more hold on us. The body of the sins of the flesh has been put off (Colossians 2:11), and we have been forgiven.
Paul then provides basic instructions for Godly living. He begins by reminding us that we were "raised with Christ" and that therefore we should "seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1). He reminds us to live without lust, anger, deceit, and greed, but rather to fill our lives with compassion, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. He insists that all believers have an equal standing in the eyes of God, regardless of their race, heritage, background, or sex. He provides a brief set of instructions on how a Christian household is to function (see also Ephesians 5:21-6:9), including guidance for husbands, wives, children, and servants. His key piece of advice is this: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23)
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