Introduction

I use Colossians 3:1-17 in pastoral conversations on a regular basis.  My use of this passage stems from a lunch with a friend many years ago in a previous ministry location.  Over the course of lunch, my friend confessed his struggle with lust. After getting everything off his chest, he said something like, “I guess we’re all sinners. That’s just the way it is.”

I agreed with him, “Yes, we’re all sinners.  But that’s not just the way it is.  It sounds as if you’ve given up on resisting sin.  You’ve been called to so much more.  You’ve been called to Christlikeness.”

Right then and there, with plates of food still on the table, I pulled out my phone and we walked through Colossians 3.  I walked out of that restaurant convinced that more people needed to hear that message.  I’ve used this passage ever since in pastoral conversations about spiritual growth.  I share it with you tonight.

Join me in reading Colossians 3:1-17.

Set your hearts and minds on things above (3:1-4)

It’s a simple command but a difficult one to follow.  At times in our lives, heavenly things seem so far away and so far removed.  Yet, earthly things constantly stare into our eyes and weigh on our shoulders.  We feel the tension in this passage.  

If you have a bad day its much easier to shout “the sky is falling” than “God is on his throne.”  Yet, shouting “the sky is falling” doesn’t produce anything productive.  Setting your heart and mind on things above reminds you of the things which are true and important.

Paul, being a good preacher, gives the church in Colosse the reason why they should set their hearts and minds on things above.  He begins with “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ” and moves to “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

It is a matter of theology.

“Raised with Christ” is baptism language.  You’ve confessed Jesus as the crucified and risen Savior.  You have followed that confession with believer’s baptism – a symbol of you dying to self to follow Jesus and a symbol of your future bodily resurrection.  

“Hidden with Christ” is likely a less familiar image.  Russian nesting dolls consists of a wooden figure, which separates, top from bottom, to reveal a smaller figure of the same sort inside, which has, in turn, another figure inside of it, and so on.  You start with a large wooden figure, and you end with the tiny figure.  The Russian nesting doll is an illustration of being “hidden with Christ in God.”  

 Imagine you hidden with Christ in God.  For how long? At least, until you receive your resurrected body in glory.

This matter of theology quickly turns to a practical matter.  Since we’ve been raised with Christ, since we are hidden with Christ in God, we live out holy habits to set our hearts and minds on things above.

Put to death earthly things (3:5-11)

Paul insists that the old nature must be put to death.  Hear me?  Put to death.  Not placed in timeout or given a slap on the wrist.  I repeat: put to death.  We do not add an overcoat of Christian values over our old nature.  No.  We put to death earthly things.  

Jesus put it this way:

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. – Mark 9:43 

Paul provides a sin list starting in verse 5: He mentions sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed. He provides another in verse 8: He mentions anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lying.  Yet, Paul’s list of sins is not exhaustive.  I believe that is why he gives two separates lists.  You should read this list and feel convicted where conviction is needed.  If your particular sins of choice are not listed … feel free to insert them.  Write them in the margin.  I’ll give you time.

If the computer leads you to sin … do something about it.

If the TV leads you to sin … do something about it.

If the phone leads you to sin … do something about it.

If idle time on the weekend leads you to sin … do something about it.

If certain situations lead you to sin … do something about it. 

If certain people lead you to sin … do something about it.  

Put on Christlike things (3:12-14)

Now that you have put to death earthly things, Paul now exhorts you to put on Christlike things. 

Paul once again provides a list that is not exhaustive.  But it’s a really good start: Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forgiveness, Love 

As you put to death earthly things, you will find yourself with idle time.  It might be idle time once filled with gossip, drinking, pornography, unforgiveness, stress, worry.  For those things to remain in the coffin, you must put on Christlike habits.

Your earthly nature of lust, anger, deceit must be replaced with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.  

My friend that I mentioned in the introduction:  In his attempt to deal with his lust issues made the statement: “The first look is free, right?”  Meaning, I’m allowed to look for a little bit as long as it’s not too long and as long as I don’t act on it.  

I said, “No. You have trained yourself to look at women as objects.   You have trained your eyes to look upon women with lust.  You’ve trained your heart to be OK with lust.”

Put that to death and take on holy habits.   I instructed him: Spend more time with your wife.  Spend time in prayer with your wife.  See people as ones created in the image of God not as objects ready for your lust.  When you begin to lust, repent.  

Do all of this in Christian community (3:15-17)

You must surround yourself with people that will walk with you in the same direction.  You need the church.  You don’t need people who will keep you in the gutter.  You want people who will push you towards Christlikeness.

As you attempt to put to death earthly things and put on Christlikeness you will face obstacles, roadblocks and temptations to detour.  For example, your phone will be filled with contacts of people inviting you back into earthly things.  You’ll get text messages and Friday night phone calls inviting you to participate in the things of earth.  You must say “no.”  You must also fill your life with people who will support and encourage you towards Christlikeness. 

Many church goers are fooled into believing they live in Christian community.  I go to church! Of course, I live in Christian community! 

Here is the true test of Christian Community: If you make a decision that is clearly unlike Christ, do you have anyone in your life that will call you on it?  Is there someone in your life that will look across the table and say, “What in the world were you thinking?”  Will someone call you up and speak truth?

Conclusion

You are a sinner.  But I pray you are a sinner who has embraced the forgiveness of God offered through the death and resurrection of His Son and the indwelling of his Spirit.  As a forgiven sinner, don’t settle for sin.  Pursue Christlikeness.