The new life in Jesus - Co 3:1-17

Paul reminds the Colossian believers, countering false teachings, that the Christian is united with Christ in his death and resurrection - and this unio mystica implies a paradigm of a new life in Christ for the believer.

I – Jesus, the paradigm of the new life (v.1-4)

A. This paradigm impels us to seek the things that are above.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

B. B. Warfield on this text: “To seek the things that are above, in distinction from those that are upon the earth, means primarily to seek what is good and refuse what is evil. It is an exhortation to a moral life as opposed to an immoral one. It is an exhortation to a life of purity and holiness as opposed to a life of sin. “…the seeking of the things that are above, means here also this: the seeking of the things that are really good in contradistinction to those that are apparently good.”

B. This paradigm impels us to set our minds on things that are above.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

C. How come? Because this paradigm stems from union with the Glorified Christ.

- Union past in His death and resurrection (v.1),

- Union present as our lives are hidden with Christ in God (v.3) and

- Union future when Christ appears in glory (v.4)

If we don't seek the things that are above, we are certainly seeking earthly pleasures, and such sinful actions end up becoming integral to the sinner's life as if they were their own limbs. To sin is inherent to a life without Christ.

II – What the new life opposes (v. 5-11)

A. The new life drives us to put to death our earthly nature.

1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

B. The new life drives us to put off the old self with its practices

Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

C. How come? Because Christ is all, and in all.

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

We are therefore called out of our old life as sinners into newness of life – which translates into casting aside our old ways and putting on our new self.

III – Living the new life (v. 12-17)

A. The new life leads us to put on the new self as God's elects

- bear with one another

- forgive each other

- above all these, put on love

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

B. The new life in Christ calls us to peace and thanksgiving

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

C. How come? Because the Word of Christ is to dwell in us richly

- instruct and counsel one another in all wisdom

- praise God with thankfulness in our hearts

- give thanks to God the Father through our Lord Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!

1. In our work: Approach your job with integrity and excellence, as though you are working for the Lord and not merely for human masters. This mindset transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship.

2. In our speech: Let our words be seasoned with grace, building others up rather than tearing them down. Before speaking, consider if your words are ones that Jesus would approve of.

3. In our relationships: Show love and forgiveness, mirroring the grace we have received from Christ. Seek reconciliation where there is discord, and put others' needs before your own.

4. In our community: Engage in acts of service and kindness, being the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us. Look for opportunities to share the love of Christ through practical means.

5. In our personal conduct: Maintain a lifestyle that reflects holiness and purity, not conforming to the patterns of this world but being transformed by the renewing of your mind

6. As experienced Christians: walk along younger Christians, sharing your walk with Jesus with them, in the same fashion our Lord Jesus shared with the disciples.