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COLOSSIANS - Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Colossians

Part 3 - What Does Your Resurrection Life Look like? (Colossians 3:1-17)

16. You are to be Holy, For I am Holy (Colossians 3:5-10)


Colossians 3:5-7
5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;

Paul openly wrote to the church members in Colosse that, in the event they believed in the glorious promise of the Holy Trinity, each member was called upon to take up a merciless battle against his own varied sins, without thought or hesitation. The experienced minister went on to specifically list improper involvement in illicit sex, and the greedy acquisition of money. Continuance in vile sin and acts of shame calls down the wrath of God and judgment upon us. Paul, however, wanted to comfort the church in Colosse. He addressed them as no longer “disobedient agitators against God”, but testified to them that they had “once” so acted. The coarse sins and bondages in their lives had been overcome through faith in Jesus Christ. From now on they needed to cast off “everything” that was displeasing to God and struggle to see their minds, desires and emotions renewed and cleansed:

Colossians 3:8-10
8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

Christians need to especially hold watch over their lips, that no unclean words, lies, hatred, rage and wickedness flow from them. Paul also assured them that they had wilfully put off the old Adam and the old Eve, and that they had been renewed in their minds through a growing knowledge of God, having been created in His likeness (Gen. 1:27). Jesus is the new man, who was able to say: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father!” (John 14:9). His followers should not only emulate Him in their thoughts, but also in their existence, that they might attain the goal and purpose of creation. This doesn´t just happen through one´s own initiative, but rather, through an increasing and expanding knowledge of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He transforms us into His likeness through faith and through our thanksgiving.

Concerning the taking off of the old, corrupt man, it is related that there once returned a man to his pastor in the Luneburger Heide of Germany, after having lived for years in the USA. At one time he had been a candidate for confirmation. Enthusiastically, he now related to the pastor: “I took off my old man in the USA and have now been clad with Jesus, the New Man!”, to which the old pastor sarcastically replied: “Watch out…that beast can swim!”

Prayer: Father in heaven, we are ashamed that in our blood and flesh so many unclean intentions, dreams and desires remain hidden. Forgive us all of our sin and help us, through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit, so that every one of our bad predispositions can die. Make us holy through Your grace and strengthen us in Your love and truth. Amen.

Question 38: How does dying to sin occur in a practical way?

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