“What are you writing over there?” my husband asked. “A devotional post on Colossians 3,” I replied. “Oh, that’s one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible!” he exclaimed, “It’s just like Romans 12 – they are both mini summaries of the Sermon on the Mount; instructions about how to live the Jesus way.” I had never heard that idea before. Something to reflect on!

I was thinking about how fun it would be to teach Colossians 3. I would be up at the white board, with my different colored markers out, and the class would be working their way through the text, phrase by phrase. Looking at 3:1-17 there is a clear introduction, a sharp comparison (two columns up on the white board), and a summary statement. Here we go:

3:1-4 a clear introduction referring to the previous chapter: If you have been raised with Christ (remember all the in him and with him statements yesterday?) – if that is true, then lots of things are different in life for you now! For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Therefore, you are to seek the things that are above… Set your minds on things that are above, not the things of earth. Great command verbs – seek and set.

3:5-11 the first part of a comparison of two different things, this is the list of things we are not practicing any longer: Put to death what is earthly in you… Now you must put them all way. We are all done with these things, they are unacceptable conduct for a Christian. They are sin and because of them the wrath of God is coming.

Here’s the list of things we do not practice any longer: Sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry), anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another. We do not live this way any longer.

We are to put off the old self with its practices, and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. When our old self died with Christ, the new self was spiritually resurrected and is being renewed day by day as Christ lives in us.

3:12-16 the second part of the comparison, the list of things we are to do as Christians: We are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved and as such we are responsible for living into our new Holy Spirit enabled character.

Here’s the list of traits we are to put on: Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other, love, the peace of Christ thankfulness. Additionally, we are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts. 

3:17 the conclusion: Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.

Dear Lord, fill us with your Spirit and enable us to put on the character of Christ each day as we live and work and proclaim the kingdom of God, amen!