LIVING A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE
Colossians 3:1-17
ILLUSTRATION There was this interesting newspaper article that illustrates the importance of mental associations in making decisions. A high school in Virginia offered a course called “Home Economics for Boys.” Obviously, it got very little attention.
So the following year it was renamed “Bachelor Living.” Guess what! The effect was overwhelming—120 boys promptly signed up. The curriculum never changed. It still offered traditional instruction in cooking, sewing, laundry, and money management. But it needed the right image before the students would give the class a second look.
In the Christian life, we cannot just change the name of our lifestyle and maintain the same activities. Changing the title from secular life to that of Christian life is useless unless there are really new ways of life.
EXPOSITION
1. SET A HIGHER GOAL IN LIFE (vv. 1-4)
The Bible said, “Set your hearts and minds on things above (v. 1-2).” What does it mean?
• That our personal interests are centered in God.
• That one’s attitudes, ambitions, and whole outlook on life are molded by Christ’s
• That one’s allegiance to him takes precedence over all earthly allegiances.
It does not mean that we would withdraw from all the activities of this world and solely engage in contemplation of eternity and heaven. God expected Christians to maintain normal relationships in this world. But there will be this difference…
• The Christian sees everything in the light and against the background of eternity
• The Christian no longer live as if this world was all that mattered
REASON
Our union with Christ in His death and resurrection and His promise of future manifestation with Him in glory granted us a new purpose and identity. SEE GALATIANS 2:20 We died with Christ and our lives are hidden with Christ in God because He lives in us. It means that our lives are secured and protected by God. Therefore, we must make His business our business and His priorities our priorities. SEE PHILIPPIANS 3:20; 1 PETER 2:11
ILLUSTRATION A bishop of the early church, who was a remarkable example of the virtue of contentment, was asked his secret. The venerable old man replied: “It consists in nothing more than making a right use of my eyes. In whatever state I am, I first of all look up to heaven and remember that my principal business here is to get there.
“Then I look down upon the earth, and call to mind how small a place I shall occupy in it when I die and am buried. I then look around in the world, and observe what multitudes there are who are in many respects more unhappy than myself. Thus I learn where true happiness is placed, where all our cares must end, and what little reason I have to complain.” —Foster
If Christ is in your heart, then let Christ lives in and through you. You will live your Christian life in the light and against the background of eternity.
2. FOLLOW A DIFFERENT PRIORITY IN LIFE (vv. 5-14)
ILLUSTRATION Going to the U.S. changes our perspective in life in terms of economics, education, family life, and retirement.
Since our basic GOAL is to enter the kingdom of God, our priorities now would change. Instead of giving so much importance on the preservation of life, we must focus on the transformation of life through God’s presence in us.
The Bible says that Christ died for our sins and His death is our own death to sin. Now we are charged to make this death to the old life real in everyday practice. The phrases “put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature.”” suggests that we are not simply to suppress or control evil acts and attitudes. We are to wipe them out, completely exterminate the old way of life.
The injunction makes clear that the action is to be undertaken decisively, with a sense of urgency. This instruction is not just for the mutilation of the physical body, but for the slaying of the evil passions, desires, and practices that root themselves in our bodies. Transformation happens when sins are discarded and virtues are cultivated.
a. SINS TO BE DISCARDED (vv. 5-11)
Sins related to impurity and covetousness (vv. 5-7)
"Sexual immorality" - illicit sexual intercourse. Originally it denoted the practice of relating with prostitutes; eventually it came to mean "habitual immorality." "Impurity" - includes uncleanness in thought, word, and act. "Lust" - it means uncontrolled desire. "Greed" - suggests a desire to have more without regard of the rights of others. This attitude is identified with "idolatry" because it puts self-interest and things in the place of God.
Reasons:
FIRST, they are sins that incur "the wrath of God."
SECOND, the sins mentioned in v. 5 are those that characterized our pre-Christian experience: "You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived" (v. 7). The verbs--"used to walk" and "lived," are both past tenses--emphasize that this kind of life belongs to the past and that the Christian should be done with it.
Sins related to attitude and speech (v. 8)
"Anger" - is the settled feeling of anger “Rage” - is the sudden and passionate outburst of anger "Malice" - seems to denote a vicious disposition, the spirit that prompts one to injure his neighbor "Slander" - renders a word that denotes insulting and slanderous talk against one’s fellowman. "Filthy language" - denote either filthy or abusive speech “Falsehood” - is singled out for special mention because in it more frequently than in anything else we manifest ill-will toward our fellowmen.
Reasons:
FIRST, the sins related to attitude and speech are compared to the "old self" who is described like a dirty, worn-out garment that should be stripped from the body and thrown away.
SECOND, we must put on the "new self" which is like a new suit of clothing that one puts on and wears. The new self is described as "being renewed in knowledge." The essential thought is that the new self does not decay or grow old but being constantly renewed into the image of Christ.
ILLUSTRATION Spring cleaning in Chicago – we clean the garage, homes, gutter, and yards; like maintaining your computer – defragmentation and disk cleaning. Every year, we inspect our house of things that not needed and that caused disorder and dirt in our homes and discard them. Spiritually speaking, we must constantly perform housekeeping to make our lives neat and clean.
b. VIRTUES TO BE CULTIVATED (vv. 12-14)
The Bible says that after putting off the old self then we must put on the new self (the regenerate nature, v. 10). Now we must clothe ourselves with the garments that befit the new self. Paul’s appeal is based on this threefold fact: Christians are chosen of God, set apart by and for God, and loved by God. The three terms-- chosen, holy and dearly loved--signify essentially the same great fact, the favored position now enjoyed by Christians as the heirs of God’s mercy and grace.
Expressions of love (3:12-14)
"Compassion" - indicates pity and tenderness expressed toward the suffering and miserable. "Kindness" - combines the ideas of goodness, kindliness, and graciousness. “Humility” - denotes a humble disposition--"the thinking lowly of ourselves because we are so". "Gentleness" - the opposite of arrogance and self-assertiveness. "Patience" - denotes the self-restraint that enables one to bear injury and insult without resorting to hasty retaliation.
Two participles "bear with" and "forgive" expand the thought of patience. Paul uses them to show that Christians who are truly patient will manifest this attitude by (1) a willingness to bear with those whose faults or unpleasant traits are an irritant to them and (2) a willingness to forgive those they have grievances against.
Life transformation is an excellent tool and evidence of Christ’s presence in our lives. We must consistently grow in our Christian life. SEE 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1
3. HONOR CHRIST ALWAYS IN YOUR LIFE. (vv. 15-17)
a. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. (v. 15)
"Peace" means peace among the members of the Christian community. It is that calmness of mind which is not irritated by adversity, overclouded by sin or a remorseful conscience, or disturbed by the fear and the approach of death. It is the peace "of Christ" because it is the peace he gives--peace that comes by way of obedience to him. BE A PEACEMAKER.
The word for "rule" is an expressive term used only here in the NT, originally meant "to act as umpire." Christ’s peace must give the final decision. We are to do nothing that would violate that peace. "And be thankful" - we are to be grateful for the peace Christ bestows on us (which is the main idea of the verse).
b. Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you. (v. 16)
"The word of Christ" - refers to the gospel, that is, the message about Christ. It may, however, refer to Christ’s teaching--a message from Christ--recorded or remembered by his apostles. To "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" is to let it "have ample room" or "remain as a rich treasure" in the heart. Let it become so deeply implanted within us as to control all our thinking. MEDITATE
The thought is that under the influence of the word of Christ Christians are to do two things: (1) Making use of every kind of wisdom, they are to teach and admonish one another. (2) Using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, they are to sing with gratitude in their hearts to God.
c. Let the name of Christ be glorified in everything. (v. 17)
"Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" reflects the thought that to act in the name of a person is to act as his representative. SEE 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20
It also means bringing honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living. As a Christian, we represent Christ at all times – wherever you go and whatever you say. What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you? What changes would you make in your life in order to honor Christ?
