What Should Christians Do About The Principles Of Christian Living?

Paul recently uncovered some unacceptable purposes behind the self-denying attitude in chapter two. Presently, in chapter three, Paul clarifies the genuine Christian conduct, the putting on the new nature by accepting Christ and viewing the old nature as dead. We change our ethical and moral conduct by allowing Christ to live inside us, with the goal that He can shape us into what we ought to be.

In verses 3-4:

We Are to Look Up

“For ye are dead.” Simply put, we died. We should have little desire for this world and what it has to offer. Our old nature has been removed. We that have been born again are dead to sin; its dominion has been broken. Our real home is in Heaven with Jesus.

• John 14:2, In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

“Your life is hid with Christ.” The world cannot see our life. It looks dull to them. We know Christ and Christ knows us. The world does not know Him.

• Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

“When Christ, who is our life.” Jesus lives in every believer through His Spirit. Jesus helps us to live and gives us hope for the future.

• John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

“Shall Appear.” As we realize that Jesus is coming again, we should continually look up. We must keep watching for His return for we do not know the hour that He will come back.

• Matthew 24:36, But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

“Shall ye shall also appear with Him in glory”

Upon Christ’s return, all believers will be gathered up together with Him in Heaven, those whose life is now hid with Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 John 3:2). Paul is reminding us to remember who we once were, who we are at this moment, and who we will be when Jesus returns. Are we truly looking for Jesus to return? What do we focus on?

In verses 5-8:

We Are to Look Out

If we are truly believers of Christ, it will show in our personal holiness and our fellowship with others. In other words, our actions will display what is in our hearts. What does our relationship with Jesus, if any, show in our everyday life? On our daily ‘to do list,’ living holy should not be there. Living holy should be a way of life!

Mortify means to subdue, control, restrain, discipline, or put to death. Look at the different ‘works of the flesh’ that Paul is specifically pointing out in these verses; fornication (sexual immorality), uncleanness (thoughts, words, etc.), inordinate affection (unbridled passions and lust), evil concupiscence (evil desires), and covetousness (envious, greedy, desirous, idolatry). We should be unresponsive to all of the above, or anything that can come between our spiritual lives and God. Just as gardeners prune dead branches from trees and bushes, Christians should prune away the dead things of this world from our lives.

Lay aside the old self and put on the new. Put off old habits and begin new habits, living for Christ and be guided by the Holy Spirit. "Mirror, mirror of the Book, please tell me how I look!" In other words, what fruit do we bear that other people see? Does God need a microscope to see any fruit that we bear? In Galatians 5, we are told what to avoid and what to cultivate. We are not only to cease from doing evil, but we are also to seek to do what is right in the eyes of God. Get rid of the old rags sin, then put on the new clothes of righteousness.

In verses 9-10:

We Are to Look In

When Christians lie to one another, it disrupts unity and destroys trusts. It can also lead to breaking down relationships and disharmony within the church. Discipleship is a continuing education, a learning process. The more we know and learn, the more we begin to change for the better. People will see Christ in us. We must never give up in obeying God. Practice, patience, reexamination, and attentiveness will help keep us in line with God’s will.

• Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.