week 17 day 1

Read Colossians 3
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203&version=NIV

The man-made facade of glory (2:23) is not to blind believers as to where their true glory resides, hidden in God (3:4). This glory will be revealed when Christ is revealed. Paul instructed the believers to set their affections on things above, things consistent with one’s position in Christ, not the things that were earthly and had no eternal significance. Believers are to become in experience what they already are in Christ positionally.

3:5–17 Paul revealed the absolute deity and authority of Christ and affirmed that Christ resides in the believers, making them complete and above man-made religious efforts. Next he gave specific examples of conduct worthy of the Christians’ salvation.

Paul showed that believers should be dead to old ways and alive to the new (3:5–14). With the “therefore” (3:5) Paul made a transition from doctrine (1:1–3:4) to practice (3:5–4:6). (Paul made such a transition in most of his other letters as well.) The doctrine of Christ and the believers’ completeness in him provides the basis for a discussion of proper Christian conduct. In the face of temptations that might lead to sin, Paul used a striking image of viewing the body as dead to sin. How the believers’ death with Christ works out in practice is explained by more images in the following verses: “rid yourselves of” (3:8; “put … aside,” nasb; “put off,” kjv); “taken off” (3:9; “laid aside,” nasb; “put off,” kjv); “clothe yourselves” (3:12; “put on,” nasb and kjv); “let … peace … rule” (3:15); and “let … Christ … live” (3:15–16).
The “old self” (3:9) refers, not to the unregenerate nature, but to the flesh’s disposition to follow physical desires and leave God out of the picture. The “new self” (3:10) refers to the disposition created in the believer by the Holy Spirit to obey God and live consistently with his spiritual inheritance. Paul exhorted the believers to put on new virtues that were more consistent with their new nature in Christ.

Christ’s rule of peace (3:15) pulls believers together in unity (cf. 1:15–18). When differences threaten the unity of the body, the peace of Christ must be accepted as arbitrator. This peace was defined by Christ’s words (3:16–17). This section has close parallels with Ephesians 5:18 where submission in marriage, family, and work flowed from the fullness of the Spirit. Here, the same groups were addressed from the perspective of the rich indwelling of Christ’s word (3:16). Christ’s teachings are to “live” in the believer. The context suggests that this may be accomplished through teaching, admonition, and singing. In 3:17 Paul was saying that believers’ activities ought to be consistent with the reputation of Christ. Could they participate in this activity in association with Jesus’ reputation (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31)?

3:18–4:1 Note the motivations for keeping these commands (3:18, 20–25). This section is closely parallel to Ephesians 5:21–6:9, where we will look at it more in detail.

Discussion question
How do you “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts?” What does that do to your life when you let that happen?

Reflection question
Paul tells us as God’s chosen to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Which one of these do you need to work on?