Walking with Christ
Colossians 3:1-17
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Being a Christian is more than a simple acceptance of beliefs. It's a transformative process that fundamentally alters our existence, reshaping our desires, thoughts, and actions. As I delve deeper into the essence of the Christian walk, I am struck by the importance of theology and ethics, particularly the significance of death and resurrection in our spiritual journey. This theme, powerfully articulated by Paul in Colossians 3:1-17, serves as a foundational principle for ethical living in the Christian context.
The concept of "dying with Christ" is not just a theological concept but a pivotal moment of change in a believer's life, signaling a departure from old ways and an entrance into a new domain of existence where Christ reigns and rules over our life. This transformation is marked by a radical shift in our priorities and values, compelling us to set our hearts and minds on things above, rather than on earthly concerns. It's a call to align our deepest desires and thoughts with the what the Lord wants for us, embracing a heavenly perspective that transcends our earthly existence.
The imperative to "put to death what is earthly in us" emerges as a critical aspect of this transformation. It challenges us to confront and eradicate behaviors and attitudes inconsistent with our new identity in Christ. This command, emphasizing the eradication of sins such as sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness, underscores the seriousness with which we must approach our spiritual renewal. It's a vivid reminder that our spiritual death with Christ at salvation is just the beginning of a lifelong journey of sanctification. This journey is characterized by a threefold approach: knowledge, commitment, and assistance from the Lord. Understanding the significance of Christ's death in relation to sin lays the groundwork for this transformation. However, intellectual assent alone is insufficient. A deliberate commitment to live in accordance with our new identity is required, a commitment that necessitates divine empowerment. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling us to live lives that reflect our spiritual realities, supported by the encouragement and fellowship of the Christian community.
As I think about this journey of sanctification, I am reminded of the dynamic relationship between our spiritual identity and our practical daily living. The call to "put to death" unchristian behaviors is not just about avoiding sin; it's about actively pursuing a life that mirrors the teachings and character of Christ. This pursuit is both personal and communal, urging us to foster relationships within the church that exemplify the love, purity, and unity of our faith.
My walk as a Christian is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, challenging me to continually seek things above and to embody the virtues of the new self. It's a call to live a life that is deeply rooted in Christ, marked by a relentless pursuit of holiness and a steadfast commitment to the values of the Kingdom. This journey, though fraught with challenges, is the path to true freedom and fulfillment, leading us ever closer to Him.
The concept of "dying with Christ" is not just a theological concept but a pivotal moment of change in a believer's life, signaling a departure from old ways and an entrance into a new domain of existence where Christ reigns and rules over our life. This transformation is marked by a radical shift in our priorities and values, compelling us to set our hearts and minds on things above, rather than on earthly concerns. It's a call to align our deepest desires and thoughts with the what the Lord wants for us, embracing a heavenly perspective that transcends our earthly existence.
The imperative to "put to death what is earthly in us" emerges as a critical aspect of this transformation. It challenges us to confront and eradicate behaviors and attitudes inconsistent with our new identity in Christ. This command, emphasizing the eradication of sins such as sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness, underscores the seriousness with which we must approach our spiritual renewal. It's a vivid reminder that our spiritual death with Christ at salvation is just the beginning of a lifelong journey of sanctification. This journey is characterized by a threefold approach: knowledge, commitment, and assistance from the Lord. Understanding the significance of Christ's death in relation to sin lays the groundwork for this transformation. However, intellectual assent alone is insufficient. A deliberate commitment to live in accordance with our new identity is required, a commitment that necessitates divine empowerment. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling us to live lives that reflect our spiritual realities, supported by the encouragement and fellowship of the Christian community.
As I think about this journey of sanctification, I am reminded of the dynamic relationship between our spiritual identity and our practical daily living. The call to "put to death" unchristian behaviors is not just about avoiding sin; it's about actively pursuing a life that mirrors the teachings and character of Christ. This pursuit is both personal and communal, urging us to foster relationships within the church that exemplify the love, purity, and unity of our faith.
My walk as a Christian is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, challenging me to continually seek things above and to embody the virtues of the new self. It's a call to live a life that is deeply rooted in Christ, marked by a relentless pursuit of holiness and a steadfast commitment to the values of the Kingdom. This journey, though fraught with challenges, is the path to true freedom and fulfillment, leading us ever closer to Him.
- This post emphasizes the transformative nature of Christian faith, particularly focusing on the concept of "dying with Christ" as a pivotal moment that signifies a believer's departure from old ways and an entrance into a new domain of existence. This transformation involves a radical shift in priorities and values towards things above, rather than earthly concerns. How does the concept of "dying with Christ" challenge traditional views of conversion and sanctification in Christian theology, and what implications does this have for understanding the process of spiritual growth and renewal?
- The imperative to "put to death what is earthly in us" is highlighted as a critical aspect of a believer's transformation, emphasizing the need to eradicate behaviors and attitudes inconsistent with our new identity in Christ. This command underscores the seriousness of spiritual renewal, involving a threefold approach: knowledge, commitment, and divine assistance. In practical terms, how can Christians balance the tension between striving for moral purity and relying on God's grace in the process of sanctification, especially in the context of contemporary societal challenges?
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