The letter to the Colossians may be divided into two parts. Chapters 1 and 2 address doctrine, whereas chapters 3 and 4 offer application. Paul’s first command is to keep seeking the things above and not the things on Earth (Colossians 3:1). This echoes Jesus’ rebuke to Peter for not being concerned with the interests of God (Matthew 16:23). Paul reminds the Colossians that they now have a new life in Christ, a life that is yet to be fully revealed. Christ will come again, so we should live in light of the life to come.
Because we are in Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father, we are positionally changed. Having been “raised up with Christ,” we must now set our minds on the things that Jesus is concerned with (v. 3:1). Our earthly duties should not be informed by the desires of the flesh and this world: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (cf. 1 John 2:16). Instead, our pattern of life should reflect our position in Christ. A mind being renewed by the knowledge of Jesus is characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love (Colossians 3:10–14).
This is evidently not an automatic process, or else Paul would not have needed to exhort the Colossians to practice according to their position in Christ. Paul is telling his readers that this is a deliberate process. We must strive and concentrate to seek the things of God. In the end, our life will be revealed in Christ.
This teaching is based on Ken Boa’s Handbook to Scripture.
Related Reading & Resources:
These are the last recorded statements of Jesus Christ before His death on the cross. Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and
Mortality and the purpose of life are prominent themes in Thomas Cole’s paintings. Through his paintings, he vividly brings out the human dilemma of mortality, a dilemma we ourselves must wrestle with. Given the inevitability of death, what are we to do with our days? We can try to stave
In the article below, Dr. Boa synthesizes material from several teaching sessions from his series Biblical Principles for Marriage and from portions of his spiritual formation text Conformed to His Image (primarily from chapter 18, “Holistic Spirituality”). Dr. Boa focuses on agape love as one of the five forms of loves (based on the different Greek words). After reviewing all forms, he gives reasons for why agape is the greatest.
Receive the Latest from Reflections & Ken Boa
Site by MacMillan Design