Living From Our Elect Identity

Illustration: (Video) Prego Spaghetti Sauce - It’s in there.

Like the memorable 1984 Prego commercial we just saw, where an Italian father asks his newly wed son about specific ingredients in a jarred sauce, only to be assured with confidence, "It's in there!"—so too with the believer's identity in Christ.

Throughout his letter to the Colossians, Paul has issued a series of commands that are grounded and flow out of the reality of the Colossian’s new relationship in Christ, but are primarily defensive in nature - warnings against being taken captive by empty philosophy, instructions to resist legalistic judgment, and exhortations to put off the sinful behaviors of the old self. These imperatives serve as protective barriers, guarding the believer against external deception and internal corruption.

But now, as Paul transitions into verses 12-17, he shifts his emphasis and tone. The tone moves from defensive to generative, to what this new relationship produces in the life of the believer, and from reactive to expressive. No longer is Paul primarily concerned with what we must resist or remove, like so many garments to put on or take off—instead, he turns our attention to who we are and what naturally flows from that identity.

This transformation hinges on a single, foundational truth that Paul establishes at the beginning of verse 12: we are God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved. Here, Paul grounds everything that follows not in human effort or moral striving, but in our status as God’s elect people, and the object of election, our new identity. We are chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, made holy through Him, and loved with the very love that exists between the Father and the Son.

What follows in verses 12-17 is not a set of burdensome commands to be fulfilled through willpower, but rather the natural expression of hearts that rest securely in their elect status. The graces Paul describes—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love—are not achievements to be pursued, but the inevitable overflow of lives anchored in the reality of divine election.

When we wonder whether we possess the capacity for genuine compassion, kindness, or patient love, the answer echoes back from our secure position in the Beloved: "It's in there!" These virtues are not external additives we must somehow acquire through moral effort; they are already present, woven into the very fabric of our new nature as God's chosen ones. The question is not whether we can manufacture these graces, but whether we will live from the reality of what has already been placed within us through our union with Christ.

As we examine these verses, we will see how Paul masterfully demonstrates that Christian virtue is not the product of human determination, but the fruit of abiding as elect children in the Son—the beautiful expression of what it means to live as those who are chosen, holy, and beloved in Christ.

As we begin unpacking this portion of Paul’s letter, it’s important that we establish a few things about election.

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I. The Grounding Principle: Our Elect Identity

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Colossians 3:12 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

The Primary Orientation of Election: Corporate vs Individualistic.

Two aspects of Election: Individualistic vs corporate.

To begin, we need to understand the proper way to think about our choosing, that is, our election as the people of God. This is a controversial topic and one that people often disagree about, but it's an important topic as it relates to the book of Colossians generally and specifically to Paul’s exhortations found in verses 12-17. I want to begin by first noting, generally, the two different facets or aspects of election: That is that election involves both a corporate body or group of people and the members who comprise that group or body. In this sense, election carries a dual meaning; a corporate and an individual dimension so that we can conceive of the elect body of God’s people both in terms of the individual members who comprise it and the larger body to which they belong. When scripture addresses the topic of election, it often does so in terms that reflect both of these aspects; however, it’s important to note that the corporate as opposed to an individualistic perspective predominates the biblical record.

The representative nature of corporate election.

Since the corporate dimension of election is the primary emphasis or orientation of election, we might reflect upon its unique characteristic: The selection of an individual to represent the group. We can refer to this selected individual as the representative or corporate head. To illustrate this concept might think, for instance, of the President of the United States of America as the representative head of the United States. This person was elected or chosen to represent a specific group of people. As members of the nation he represents, we, as Americans, share in this countries common history, both good and bad. Foreigners may even be “grafted in” so to speak and become naturalized citizens so that they share in our common heritage. When the patriots overthrew British rule, though we didn’t formally participate in the war that brought our independence, we nonetheless claim their victory as our own. Their liberation was our liberation. Biblical examples can be multiplied as well that illustrate this principle.

A couple of examples of this orientation are seen in the following:

Abraham and Isaac - When Abraham and Isaac function as the representative head of the covenantal community (initially established in Abraham but later conferred on Isaac), members benefited from the covenant through their corporate identity with him rather than individual merit. Abraham's faith, righteousness, and covenant standing with God were imputed to all members of his corporate body, allowing them to share in the promised blessings of land, descendants, divine protection, and favor not because of their own performance, but because of their union with their representative head who had already secured these benefits before God. Their covenant status, identity as God's chosen people, and access to divine promises all flowed from Abraham's mediated relationship as their covenantal representative, emphasizing that participation in covenant blessings depended on membership in Abraham's corporate community rather than individual achievement.

Jacob/Israel - The concept of representative or corporate headship finds its most visible illustration in the life of Jacob, whom God renames Israel. Scripture attests to the fact that when Jacob wrestled with his brother Esau two nations were present in Rebekah’s womb.

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Genesis 25:23 ESV

23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

The nation of Israel is so identified with their representative head that they bear his name, implying they share in his election, as well as his destiny.

It’s important to observe that while God elects or chooses the representative, the people themselves enjoy their elect status through participation, or membership, in the group so that everyone in the group becomes chosen or elect through their connection with that representative.

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B. Christ is the new head of the covenant and the true Israel.

It is this concept that Paul has in mind when he writes concerning Christ in verse 18 of chapter 1:

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Colossians 1:18 ESV

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

As we have already seen, the election of a special people was ratified in Abraham, and conferred on this descendants Isaac and Israel to demonstrate continuity between each of the covenant representatives; however, Jesus represents the fulfillment of all the promises made to the Patriarchs so that Jesus embodies all that Israel should have been ideally, thus making him the true Israel, and the possessor of the covenant God enjoined with Old Testament Israel. In so doing, continuity between the previous covenant representatives and the new covenant representative, Jesus, is established, because the covenant made to them is conferred to Jesus. It is not that the church replaces Israel as a covenant partner, rather Jesus is the true Israel so that all who are found in him, whether Jew or Gentile, become members of his body and possess all the promises made under the Old Covenant. This is the emphasis of the language of foreknowledge in scripture as it relates to election: foreknowledge, in this context, is the prior acknowledgment of a people as God’s covenant partner, to use the language of biblical scholar Brian Abasciano.

Consistent with verse 12, Paul argues in Galatians 3:16-19 that the promises made to Abraham and his “seed” are fulfilled in Christ, who is the ultimate recipient. Similarly, Paul can argue that the blessings catalogued in Ephesians 1:4-13 all find their reason, basis, and foundation in verse 3’s summary statement:

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Ephesians 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Every spiritual blessing, of which our election is included, comes to us as a consequence of being found in Christ by faith. This may run counter to our individualistic Western mindset, but it is consistent with the collectivistic society and world of Old Testament Israel as well as that of first century Israel, with which Paul himself is familiar.

The word “as” in verse 12 is an adverbial conjunction that is modifying the Greek imperative at the beginning of the sentence. This imperative, translated as “put on” signals the expectation of those who are covenantally related to Christ through faith. The word “as,” then signals the motivation for our obedience: we are elect in the Son and heirs of the promises made to the Patriarchs that find there fulfillment in Christ. Part of this new identity is the new relationship we enjoy as members of the covenant: We are holy and dearly loved

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C. As a consequence of our elect status all believers are holy and dearly loved in the Son.

The terms “holy” and “dearly loved” are often used in reference to Christ, and denote the Father’s love for his Son. Paul is stating that through our participation in the covenant enjoined with Christ, the love that the Son enjoys is conferred to the members of his elect community. We are loved as a consequence of the love that the Father has for the Son and we experience this love by being in Christ through faith.

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II. The Graces that Flow From Our Identity

A. Key Principle 1: We are forgiven

Colossians 3:13–14 ESV

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.

Paul describes distinguishing characteristics of every believer. If we are in Christ we are forgiven, and this reality motivates us to extend grace to others. The word “complaint” in verse 13 represents any sin or transgression committed by a covenant member against another. Once again, the basis or motivation for our forgiving disposition is the fact that we are in the Son, with our own debt wiped away. The gravity of our indebtedness to Christ, when properly considered, should nurture within us a forgiving spirit. This means, if we are abiding in Christ, we will reflect a forgiving nature and a willingness to tolerate irritating and frustrating behaviors in others.

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B. Key Principle 2: We can assume the graces found in Christ

All of this is possible because the graces necessary to influence and shape our behavior are found through our union with Christ, our covenantal head.

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C. Key Principle 3: The Bond of Love

The phrase “binds everything together in perfect harmony,” is actually derived from two Greek nouns that literally mean “bond of perfection.” Paul seems to be returning to the language of garments that are put on or taken off. But in this sense, he has in mind an outer garment used for holding others garments and clothing together, or possibly the idea of a broach or pin that serves the same purpose. Paul is speaking in terms of a supreme virtue, which is love, that binds the community together. As covenant members, we are to live out the graces described in relation to one another, bound to one another in the love that is found in our new identity as the covenant people of God. Love is not an external passion we assume, but an internal reality that shapes our relationships with one another as the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, to quote Paul once again, but in the context of Romans 5:5.

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III. Integrating our Elect Identity into Life.

Colossians 3:15–17 ESV

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.

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A. Characterized by the peace of Christ

Christ's peace isn't just a personal, inner feeling of calm. It's the peace that Christ himself brings, which is essentially salvation itself. When Paul says this peace should "rule" in believers' hearts, he means Christ himself should be present and in control of our lives and relationships.

The Colossians were called into this peace through the gospel, meaning they now live within this peaceful realm as members of Christ's body. The peace that should characterize the church goes beyond just avoiding conflict - it must be Christ's own peace that settles disputes and disagreements.

When problems arise in the church, they should be resolved at the heart level by remembering our unity in Christ. Just as Roman peace (pax Romana) allowed people in the empire to live without constant fear of war, Christ's peace (pax Christiana) should create an environment where we can pursue our callings without ongoing conflict.

This vision of peaceful church life naturally leads to gratitude, as love, peace, and thankfulness all strengthen each other and create the proper foundation for following the instructions that come next in Paul's letter.

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B. The Word of Christ in the Church

When Paul speaks of "the word of Christ," he's referring to the message about Christ—the gospel and its implications for how we live. This word should be central to our focus and constantly shape how we operate.

Paul's instruction for the word to "dwell richly" in believers connects to what he says in Ephesians about being "filled with the Spirit." Both phrases point to the same result: when either the word of Christ fills us or the Spirit fills us, we respond with the same activities—teaching, encouraging, and singing.

We should regularly ask two key questions:

Is Christ's peace present in our congregation right now?

Is what we're doing consistent with and promoting the word of Christ?

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C. When he Word of Christ Dwells Richly

The word of Christ becomes prominent through two main activities:

1. Teaching and Encouraging Each Other

Wisdom is Essential

Wisdom appears frequently in Colossians and was clearly a concern for the church

True wisdom is spiritual, comes from God, and centers on Christ

When believers teach and encourage each other, we must do so with godly wisdom

Two Spiritual Gifts at Work

Teaching: The orderly arrangement and clear communication of truth

Admonishing/Encouraging: Strong, practical encouragement that reinforces teaching in people's lives

These gifts aren't just for pastors—each member of Christ’s body is meant to teach and encourage other members using godly wisdom in both motivation and method.

2. Singing Together

Three Types of Songs

Psalms: Likely the Old Testament psalms

Hymns: Festive songs of praise

Spiritual songs: Other musical compositions (like gospel songs)

All three must be spiritual, not secular, and together they cover the full range of musical expression in worship.

Music as a Vehicle

While some people a naturally talented and gifted when it comes to music, music itself isn't viewed by Paul here as a spiritual gift—rather teaching and encouraging are the gifts

The message conveyed through the medium of music then must be primary, the music secondary

Music should point beyond itself to teach and encourage believers

With respect to music in corporate worship, music serves as an effective vehicle for delivering these gifts. Regarding music in general, we all have musical preferences. I think this is an area where fundamentalism overreached in its application of scripture, condemning certain genre of music, or secular music simply by virtue of the fact that it is secular. While there is nothing intrinsically evil or malign in musical genres, it can be argued that certain genres are more conducive to worship, especially in the context of the way certain styles of music incite emotional responses more conducive to meditation and reflection on biblical truth. In this sense it is appropriate for us to reflect on the music we listen to, not only in terms of the message conveyed by the lyrics, but the emotional state it incites within us. Are we more prone to feel calmness, peace, clarity and focus through the music, or even other forms of media such as television, radio, and even printed media we listen to or ingest or does the music or media we listen to incite negative emotion, such as anger, aggression, rebellion, tension, or frustration?

Singing from the Heart

Christian singing should flow from an understanding of God's grace

It should come from the heart—meaning the whole person should be involved

When observed properly, there's no room for self-praise or pride; everything good comes from God's grace

The most effective teaching and encouraging happens through heartfelt, enthusiastic singing from those who personally know God's grace

The Result

When we teach and encourage each other through various kinds of songs, energized by the freedom of the word of Christ, an ever-new song of grace emerges in the in our midst. This mutual involvement in each other's lives, expressed through music, is how the word of Christ dwells richly among God's people.

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C. The Comprehensive Scope of our Elect Status: In all that we do

When we act "in someone's name," we're both representing them and have their authority to act. So Paul's instruction serves two purposes: it makes us ask ourselves, "Can I really do this if I'm representing Jesus?" and it encourages us to keep going with difficult tasks because we know God will give us the strength we need.

Paul emphasizes giving thanks to God the Father through Jesus. Grateful worship should be at the center of our Christian life and affect everything we do. Since all things were created through Christ and redeemed through him, if we are part of his covenantal community, we can and should do everything—whether it's manual labor, politics, raising children, writing, playing sports, or anything else—in Jesus' name and with gratitude.

Jesus is both fully God and fully human, the perfect image of God whose death on the cross brought us back to God. He's the reason we can be grateful and the one through whom we can offer that gratitude to the Father.

Conclusion:

As we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, this sacrament of the church embodies the unity and transformation that Paul describes in Colossians 3:12-17. As God's chosen people, holy and beloved, we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and we forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven us, because we enjoy the status of being elect in the Son. When we gather at the Lord's table, we practice this unity in Christ—the peace of Christ rules in our hearts as one body. The bread and cup remind us that we are members of Christ's body, called to bear with one another and let the word of Christ dwell richly among us through teaching, encouraging, and grateful worship. Everything we do, including our participation in Communion, is done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Communion:

On the night when He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, remembering Your Son's sacrifice for us. Bless this bread and juice, that they may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we partake together, unite us as one body in Christ, and strengthen us for service in Your kingdom. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.