Col 3-4

Col 3:1-17
Ok, let's just break this passage down into things Paul is telling the church at Colossae to do, and why:

To do:
-set your hearts on things above, Christ and God, not earthly things v3:1-2
-put to death all that belongs to your earthly nature (flesh and sin) since it is idolatry v5,8
-do not lie to each other v9
-clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. v12
-bear with each other and forgive each other v13
-especially put on love v14
-let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts v15
-be thankful v15
-let the word of Christ dwell richly in your heart v16

Why:
-you have been raised with Christ v3:1
-you have died and your life in in Christ now v3
-when Christ appears again in glory, so will you v4
-you have taken off the old self and its practices and now have put on the new self being renewed in God's image v9-10
-as God's holy, chosen, dearly loved people v12
-God has forgiven you greatly v13
-love binds all together in unity v14
-you were all called into peace v15


Nearly every encouragement and thing on the list of things they were told to do or not to do reflect into what God has already done for us by the cross. God chose us and in His love sent Jesus to the cross to pay for our rebellion and transgressions. By His resurrection we are made new, and His Spirit in us is tranforming us more and more into His image each day (2Cor3:18). So, why would we continue in the practices of the old self, immorality, idolatry, greed, when God has given us so much more. In regards to each other, treat one another as God has treated you: forgive, love, be patient, all as God was towards us. And now out of the gratitude and thanks for what God has done, live in Him, the truth, the way, and the life.

Although we lived and died in these things, His Spirit in us now helps us to know which way to go and also gives us the ability to do so.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him." v17