Paul wrote this letter the to Colossian believers to remind them of the true gospel. The good news that though we were separated from God, our holy, righteous Creator by our own rebellion against him, God loved us and sent Jesus to reconcile us to him.

Colossians 1:19–22 NIV

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

But that good news was not just a matter of reconciling us to Himself, it was giving us a whole new life!

Colossians 2:13–14 NIV

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

We have been made alive in Christ! Alive to live in Him! A new life that is not ruled by our old sinful ways, but one that is like Him!

That is good news! Freedom from condemnation from our sin, and Freedom from the power of our sinful nature to live as God’s dearly loved children!

As God’s children, we should no longer live the way we used to. We need to live as true Christians. We need to be like Jesus. We need to be patient. We need to be kind. We need to always think of others, and not just ourselves! We need to keep God’s perspective, and not get caught up in the things of this world.

Easy, right?

Well, Jesus died for you and raised you to new life, so live like a Christian! Don’t lose your temper! Don’t covet what others have. Be a loving husband. Don’t exasperate your children! Submit to you husband!

Easy stuff. Right?

Just Do It!

Well, Just Do It!

As we look at the passage for today, we could easily fall into thinking Paul is just giving the commands, and we need to, “Just do it,” if we want to be good Christians.

Let’s look at the passage for today,

Colossians 3:22–4:1 NIV

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Just do it?

Legalism

Ritualism

Mysticism

Asceticism

No… Christianity is real and relevant to everyday life. There are ways we need to live, but there is also a how to do it in Christianity.

It is not a matter of sheer will-power. It requires change from the inside out. It starts with the mind and heart, and then the outward actions will follow.

That is what we have seen all the way through Colossians 3.

Colossians 3:1–4:1 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 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. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

The heart to Just Do It:

Colossians 3:22 NIV

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

What is the heart attitude here? Sincerity and

Reverence the Lord

Sincerity - integrity, singleness of heart, absent from self-seeking motives

reverence - respect for the Lord

not when their eye is on you… classroom, gym class

Did God provide this job for you?

Colossians 3:23 NIV

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Recognize that you work for the Lord

Work at it with all your heart!

Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians 9-384: The Reason Why We Work (Work)

Chariots of Fire, the fact-based, Oscar-winning movie, depicts the quest of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell to win gold medals in the 1924 Olympics, a feat they both accomplished.

The difference between Abrahams and Liddell is transparent: Everything Abrahams did was for himself, while everything Liddell did was for the glory of God.

Eric’s sister Jennie mistook her brother’s love of running for rebellion against God, and pressed him to return to the mission field in China, where they both were born and their parents lived. One day his sister was upset because he had missed a mission meeting, so Eric decided to have a talk with her. They walked to a grassy spot overlooking the Scottish highlands.

Clutching her arms, trying to explain his calling to run, he said, “Jennie, Jennie. You’ve got to understand. I believe God made me for a purpose—for China. But He also made me fast!—and when I run, I feel His pleasure!”

That is in sharp contrast to a scene later in the movie, one hour before the final race of Harold Abrahams. While his trainer gave him a rub-down, he lamented to his best friend, “I’m twenty-four and I’ve never known contentment. I’m forever in pursuit, and I don’t even know what it is I’m chasing.”

Both men won a gold medal, but one won his medal for himself, while the other won his medal for God. Do you feel God’s pleasure in what you do or, like Abrahams, does contentment elude you?”166

Colossians 3:24 NIV

since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Rejoice in the Reward from the Lord

Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians 9-385: The Spiritual Significance of Work (Work)

The story is told of a man who visited a stone quarry and asked three of the workers what they were doing. “Can’t you see?” said the first one irritably. “I’m cutting a stone.”

The second replied, “I’m earning a hundred pounds a week.” But the third put down his pick and thrust out his chest proudly. “I’m building a cathedral,” he said.

People view work in many ways: as a necessary evil to keep bread on the table; as a means to a sizable bank account; as self-fulfillment and identity; as an economic obligation within society; as a means to a life of leisure.”167

Colossians 3:25 NIV

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Righteously Fear the Lord

1 Peter 1:17–19 NIV

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 2.18-20 - suffering for doing wrong vs. suffering for doing right

1 Peter 2:18–20 NIV

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

Colossians 4:1 NIV

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Recognize the Lord