Colossians 3 — Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly
Introduction: Paul provides more advice to the believers for the constant practice of those characteristics that should be expected of saints. Christ is in each saint, and each saint is also in Christ. Paul lists some specifics of things to do, and things to avoid, as all saints continue in prayer, and the Word of Christ dwells in each of us richly.
NOTE: All Bible text is from the Modern KJV unless otherwise designated.
A — Seek Things Above and Put to Death Earthly Sins
Colossians 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. 2 Be mindful of things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ our Life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry), 6 on account of which things’ sake the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience, 7 among whom you also once walked, when you lived in these.”
Comments: The saints are indeed raised to a new life with Christ, so therefore we should keep our thoughts on “things above,” because passages from both Old and New Testaments tell us it is always the right hand of God in heaven that sustains the saints (Exodus 15:6; Psalm 110:1; Mark 16:19; Ephesians 2:4–6). Our hope is not in anything of the earth; our faith is more precious than physical life, and the glory of heaven is promised to the saints through Christ (John 14:6; Galatians 2:20; 2 Timothy 1:9–10). We must continually die to the old nature, and allow the Holy Spirit to renew us. Faith in Christ should prevent us from returning to those things done continually by those who know not Christ. Before the grace and mercy of Christ transformed us, we were part of that group (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 5:3; Proverbs 28:13).
B — Put Off the Old, Put On the New
Colossians 3 “8 But now also put off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, shameful speech out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and having put on the new, having been renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave or freeman, but Christ is all things in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, 13 forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone has a complaint against any. As Christ forgave you, so also you do. 14 And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.”
Comments: Paul provides a short list of things to avoid because saints have put off the old nature; it is good to review such lists regularly because our sinful nature is very deceitful. Those who are of the world will mock our efforts to avoid the very things they desire (Ephesians 4:22–24; 1 Peter 4:1–4). As saints, we are made in the image of our creator, and should make no deprecating distinction among any saints regardless of human origin or social background (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:28). As the elect and beloved of God, we are to demonstrate affection for brothers and sisters in Christ — remembering above all to be forgiving through love because of the greatness of God’s forgiveness towards us (Romans 8:33; 1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 5:22; Romans 12:10).
C — Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly
Colossians 3 “15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also are called in one body, and be thankful. 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. 17 And everything, whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
Comments: Be grateful and thankful for what the Lord has done, because the peace He gives is not transitory nor of minor significance (Psalm 100:4; John 14:27; Philippians 4:7; Romans 15:13). As we read and study the word of God, His word becomes part of our thoughts to be displayed through our speech and actions in daily living, and by the transforming power of the word we realize that all is to the glory of God (Psalm 119:11; Luke 8:15; Romans 10:8; Ephesians 5:20).
D — Household Conduct and Service unto the Lord
Colossians 3 “18 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as is becoming in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they be discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men; 24 knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong shall receive justice for the wrong which he did, and there is no respect of persons.”
Comments: All saints are called to a life of submission to authority, and to one another in love, in the family, and in all other aspects of corporate interaction (Ephesians 5:21–25; 1 Peter 3:1, 7; Ephesians 6:1, 4–5). Whatever we do should be done as if directly done for our Lord, Christ Jesus, not to impress those around us — we are his servants and we serve him by serving others (Matthew 6:2, 16; Ephesians 6:7–8). God is not a man to be influenced, and there is no respect of persons with him (2 Chronicles 19:7; Acts 10:34–35; Romans 2:11). The only remedy for sin that requires death is to receive the gift of life by faith in Christ, the last Adam (Romans 4:5–8; 5:12).
Reflections in Prayer
Thank you Lord for raising me with Christ to newness in life, that I now can seek with sure hope those things which are above, with you as you are seated at the right hand of the Father. Remind me Lord that since I have died to this world, with my life now hidden in Christ, only the things of heaven have true value to me. For when Christ who is my life appears, I will appear in glory with him. Therefore, my desire is to put to death my former worldly deeds. But because I have put off the old man, and have put on the new man, I also want to avoid lingering anger, a hot temper, malicious thought or action, verbal attacks or condemnation, obscene language, or lying. Because you have chosen me to be holy and beloved to you, I want to be eager to have this behavior to others: sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient; with tolerance to forgive. Guide me Lord, to use love to bind all these things together in perfection, that I may express thankfulness that you have called me to be part of your body. As your peace rules my thoughts, may the word of Christ dwell in me richly, that I might be serving you in whatever I do, and offer all up as a sacrifice of praise. Amen.
Published revision 25 January 2007, first issued 26 September 2004