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Colossians Chapter 3 (ESV)

¹ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

REFLECTION:

1. Chapter at a Glance: True spiritual reality is experienced and expressed in rejection of evil and a transformed character. We recognize Christ in the Christian’s life by the love and mutual submission expressed in every relationship.
2. Read the passage and consider these segments included in the process of putting on the new life.
• A new life is possible (vv3-4)
• Get rid of the old life (v5)
• Put on the new life (v12-14)
• Inner thoughts and behaviour needed to put on new life (vv15-17)
3. Which part speaks to you most right now? Why?  How does that idea relate to the other parts?  How does it relate to love “which binds them all together in perfect harmony”?
4. Pray to God the part that speaks to you, personalizing it.

PRAYER:

Dear God! I pray that You help me put to death the earthly desires within me—such as immorality, impurity, evil passions, lust, and greed. These things provoke Your anger. I also ask that You cultivate in me a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. If I hold any grudges against others, Lord, help me extend forgiveness and grace. Just as You have forgiven me, enable me to forgive others in the same way.

HYMN:

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus – www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8jvfdDtoqY