Living the New Life
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“Living the New Life”
(Colossians 3:1-17)
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.
7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
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.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
INTRODUCTION:
I- FOCUS ON THE ULTIMATE GOAL (Colossians 3:1-4).
I- FOCUS ON THE ULTIMATE GOAL (Colossians 3:1-4).
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
A- The reality: You are a new person in Christ!
A- The reality: You are a new person in Christ!
1- When you were saved, you were raised (resurrected) to be a new person.
(Colossians 3:1 a)
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2- The new life that you have been given is completely bound-up in Jesus Christ.
(Colossians 3:3)
3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
B- The refocus needed: a heavenly focus needed for earthly life.
B- The refocus needed: a heavenly focus needed for earthly life.
1- Your “sights” are to be focused on the “realities of heaven.”
(Colossians 3:1 b)
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
(Philippians 3:14)
14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
2- You must intentionally focus on what matters eternally.
(Colossians 3:2)
2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
(Matthew 6:20)
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
C- The reward promised: It will be worth it all!
C- The reward promised: It will be worth it all!
1- Christ is returning!
(Colossians 3:4 a)
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
(John 14:1-3)
1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
2- Christ is the reason for living!
(Colossians 3:4 b)
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
(Philippians 1:21)
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
3- Christ will reward us for living for Him.
(Colossians 3:4 c)
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
(1 John 3:2)
2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
(Matthew 25:23)
23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
II- FORSAKE THE WAYS OF THE UNREDEEMED WORLD (Colossians 3:5-9).
II- FORSAKE THE WAYS OF THE UNREDEEMED WORLD (Colossians 3:5-9).
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.
7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
A- Forsake the sinful urges that call out from the fleshly nature. (Colossians 3:5,7)
A- Forsake the sinful urges that call out from the fleshly nature. (Colossians 3:5,7)
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
1- It is important that we recognize the natural wickedness of our own hearts.
1- It is important that we recognize the natural wickedness of our own hearts.
a- The problem of sin is ingrained in our flesh.
b- The problem of sin has been re-enforced by our past lifestyle.
2- We need to shut-down sin at its source—the heart!
2- We need to shut-down sin at its source—the heart!
a. We must seek the purification of our deepest desires.
b. This is why having a consistent personal worship time and Bible-study time is so important.
c. Living-out the christian life begins with inner transformation of our character.
B- Forsake sinful practices that are self-destructive and ungodly. (Colossians 3: 5 b, 8-9)
B- Forsake sinful practices that are self-destructive and ungodly. (Colossians 3: 5 b, 8-9)
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
1- Paul names some practices that originate with the fleshly nature within us:
(Longer list is found at Galatians 5:19-21)
sexual immorality (πορνειαν = to engage in sexual immorality of any kind, often with the implication of prostitution—‘to engage in illicit sex, to commit fornication, sexual immorality, fornication, prostitution.’)
impurity (ἀκαθαρσιαν = the state of moral impurity, especially in relationship to sexual sin—‘impurity, immorality, filthiness.’)
lust (παθος = to experience strong physical desires, particularly of a sexual nature—‘passion, lust, lustful desire, to have lust.’ )
evil desires (ἐπιθυμιαν κακην = to strongly desire to engage in an activity which is morally wrong—‘to covet, to lust, evil desires, lust, desire.’ )
greed, which is idolatry (πλεονεξιαν ἡτις ἐστιν εἰδωλολατρια = a strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions or to possess more things than other people have, all irrespective of need—‘greed, avarice, covetousness.’ καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία ‘and greed, which is idolatry’ Col 3:5; καρδίαν γεγυμνασμένην πλεονεξίας ἔχοντες ‘they are experts in greed’ 2 Pe 2:14.)
anger (ὀργην = a relative state of anger—‘anger, fury.’)
rage (θυμον = a state of intense anger, with the implication of passionate outbursts—‘anger, fury, wrath, rage.’)
malicious behavior (κακιαν = a feeling of hostility and strong dislike, with a possible implication of desiring to do harm—‘hateful feeling.’ σὺν πάσῃ κακίᾳ ‘together with every hateful feeling’ Eph 4:31.)
slander (βλασφημιαν = to speak against someone in such a way as to harm or injure his or her reputation (occurring in relation to persons as well as to divine beings)—‘to revile, to defame, to blaspheme, reviling.’)
dirty language (αἰσχρολογιαν = an old word for low and obscene speech which occurs here only in the N. T. It is made from αἰσχρολογος [aischrologos] (αἰσχρος [aischros] as in 1 Cor. 11:6 and that from αἰσχος [aischos], disgrace). Note also the addition of “out of your mouth” (ἐκ του στοματος ὑμων [ek tou stomatos humōn]). The word was used for both abusive and filthy talk and Lightfoot combines both ideas as often happens. Such language should never come out of the mouth of a Christian living the new life in Christ.)
telling lies (μη ψευδεσθε εἰς ἀλληλους = could have been included in the preceding list where it belongs in reality. But it is put more pointedly thus in the prohibition (μη [mē] and the present middle imperative). It means either “stop lying” or “do not have the habit of lying.”
2- These types of things are to be “stripped-off,” like dirty clothes!
a- “you have stripped off “ (ἀποθεσθε και ὑμεις [apothesthe kai humeis]). Second aorist middle imperative of old verb ἀποτιθημι [apotithēmi], to put away, lay aside like old clothes.
III- FOREVER PURSUE THE CHARACTER-TRAITS THAT REFLECT GODLINESS. (Colossians 3:10-17).
III- FOREVER PURSUE THE CHARACTER-TRAITS THAT REFLECT GODLINESS. (Colossians 3:10-17).
10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
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.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
A- The model to follow in learning Godly traits:
A- The model to follow in learning Godly traits:
1- The Lord is the model to learn from.
(Colossians 3:10)
10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
(10 καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν νέον τὸν ἀνακαινούμενον εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν κατʼ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν,)
a. Real transformation is enabled through a growing relationship with Christ!
* My translation:
“and clothe yourself with the new man, becoming just like your creator - renewed and transformed as you come to know Him.”
(And have put on (και ἐνδυσαμενοι). First aorist middle participle of ἐνδυνω, old and common verb (Latin induo, English endue) for putting on a garment. Used of putting on Christ (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 13:14).
27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
The new man (τον νεον). “The new (young as opposed to old παλαιον) man” (though ἀνθρωπον is not here expressed, but understood from the preceding phrase). In Eph. 4:24 Paul has ἐνδυσασθαι τον καινον (fresh as opposed to worn out) ἀνθρωπον.
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Which is being renewed (τον ἀνακαινουμενον). Present passive articular participle of ἀνακαινοω. Paul apparently coined this word on the analogy of ἀνανεομαι. Ἀνακαινιζω already existed (Heb. 6:6). Paul also uses ἀνακαινωσις (Rom. 12:2; Titus 3:5) found nowhere before him. By this word Paul adds the meaning of καινος to that of νεος just before. It is a continual refreshment (καινος) of the new (νεος, young) man in Christ Jesus.
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
Unto knowledge (εἰς ἐπιγνωσιν). “Unto full (additional) knowledge,” one of the keywords in this Epistle.
After the image (κατʼ εἰκονα). An allusion to Gen. 1:26, 28. The restoration of the image of God in us is gradual and progressive (2 Cor. 3:18), but will be complete in the final result (Rom. 8:29; 1 John 3:2).
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
2- The new life is for believers of all kinds, nationalities, etc.
(Colossians 3:11)
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.
(11 ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι Ἕλλην καὶ Ἰουδαῖος, περιτομὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία, βάρβαρος, Σκύθης, δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος, ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν Χριστός.)
ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι= “Where there does not exist”
Ἕλλην καὶ Ἰουδαῖος = Hellenist (gentile) or Jew
περιτομὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία = Circumcised or uncircumcised
βάρβαρος = barbarian (uncivilized)
Σκύθης = a person who is a native of Scythia, a region north of the Black Sea, and regarded by the GrecoRoman world as utterly pagan and uncivilized—‘a Scythian’
δοῦλος = a slave
ἐλεύθερος = a free person (as contrasted with a slave)
ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν Χριστός. Christ is all (that matters) and is in all of us.
a. In Christ, earthly pedigree means nothing - Only the personal presence of Christ in lives matters.
B- The mandated character traits we are to pursue:
B- The mandated character traits we are to pursue:
(Colossians 3:12-15)
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
(12 Ἐνδύσασθε οὖν ὡς ἐκλεκτοὶ τοῦ θεοῦ, ἅγιοι καὶ ἠγαπημένοι, σπλάγχνα οἰκτιρμοῦ, χρηστότητα, ταπεινοφροσύνην, πραΰτητα, μακροθυμίαν,
13 ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων καὶ χαριζόμενοι ἑαυτοῖς ἐάν τις πρός τινα ἔχῃ μομφήν· καθὼς καὶ ὁ κύριος ἐχαρίσατο ὑμῖν οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς·
14 ἐπὶ πᾶσιν δὲ τούτοις τὴν ἀγάπην, ὅ ἐστιν σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος.
15 καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ Χριστοῦ βραβευέτω ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν, εἰς ἣν καὶ ἐκλήθητε ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι· καὶ εὐχάριστοι γίνεσθε.)
Vs. 12
Put on therefore (ἐνδυσασθε οὐν [endusasthe oun]). First aorist middle imperative of ἐνδυνω [endunō] (verse 10). He explains and applies (οὐν [oun] therefore) the figure of “the new man” as “the new garment.”
As God’s elect (ὡς ἐκλεκτοι του θεου [hōs eklektoi tou theou]). Same phrase in Rom. 8:33; Titus 1:1. In the Gospels a distinction exists between κλητος [klētos] and ἐκλεκτος [eklektos] (Matt. 24:22, 24, 31), but no distinction appears in Paul’s writings.
Here further described as “holy and beloved” (ἁγιοι και ἠγαπημενοι [hagioi kai ēgapēmenoi]).
The items in the new clothing for the new man in Christ Paul now gives in contrast with what was put off (3:8).
The garments include a heart of compassion (σπλαγχνα οἰκτιρμου [splagchna oiktirmou], the nobler viscera as the seat of emotion as in Luke 1:78; Phil. 1:8),
kindness (χρηστοτητα [chrēstotēta], as in Gal. 5:22),
humility (ταπεινοφροσυνην [tapeinophrosunēn], in the good sense as in Phil. 2:3),
meekness (πραυτητα [prautēta], in Gal. 5:23 and in Eph. 4:2 also with ταπεινοφροσυνη [tapeinophrosunē]),
long-suffering (μακροθυμιαν [makrothumian], in Gal. 5:22; Col. 1:11; James 5:10).
1- Recognition of who we are in Christ.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves” (Ἐνδύσασθε οὖν ὡς ἐκλεκτοὶ τοῦ θεοῦ, ἅγιοι καὶ ἠγαπημένοι)
2- tenderhearted mercy
σπλάγχνα = figurative extensions of meaning of σπλάγχναa ‘intestines, the psychological faculty of desire, intent, and feeling—‘heart, feelings, desires.’
οἰκτιρμοῦ = to show mercy and concern, with the implication of sensitivity and compassion—‘to have mercy, to show compassion, mercy, tender compassion.
3- kindness
χρηστότητα = to act kindly, to be kind, kindness
4- humility
ταπεινοφροσύνην = the quality of humility—‘humble attitude, humility, without arrogance.
5- gentleness
πραΰτητα = gentleness of attitude and behavior, in contrast with harshness in one’s dealings with others—‘gentleness, meekness, mildness.’
6- patience
μακροθυμίαν = a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.
7- forgiveness
(ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων καὶ χαριζόμενοι ἑαυτοῖς ἐάν τις πρός τινα ἔχῃ μομφήν· καθὼς καὶ ὁ κύριος ἐχαρίσατο ὑμῖν οὕτως καὶ ὑμεῖς· )
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
8- love
14. “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
9- peace
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
10- unity
11- thankfulness
C- The mutual lifestyle we are to share:
C- The mutual lifestyle we are to share:
(Colossians 3:16-17)
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
( 16 ὁ λόγος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐνοικείτω ἐν ὑμῖν πλουσίως ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ· διδάσκοντες καὶ νουθετοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς ψαλμοῖς, ὕμνοις, ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς ἐν χάριτι, ᾄδοντες ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν τῷ θεῷ·
17 καὶ πᾶν ὅ τι ἐὰν ποιῆτε ἐν λόγῳ ἢ ἐν ἔργῳ, πάντα ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ θεῷ πατρὶ διʼ αὐτοῦ.)
1- Living out the richness of the Gospel message.
2- Encouraging each other to walk God’s way.
3- Praising God in a spirit of thanksgiving.
4- Remembering that we are representatives of Jesus in all of our words and actions.
CONCLUSION: