Summary of Sermon
In Colossians 3:3-4, Paul has made a wonderful declaration about our true life in Christ: “You died, and your life is now hidden in Christ with God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Now as he begins to encourage the Colossians to do away with their old, “earthly” ways of living and to increasingly adopt new ways of living, he uses a very strong image for this change: “Put to death, therefore, the things that belong to your earthly nature.”
By exhorting the Colossians with these words, we pick up several truths:
1. Growing in Christlikeness is an active pursuit, not a passive or automatic happening. Our life in Christ is a gift from God, and we are always held in his hands, but we are also called to participate in our own growth. We are often too passive in our approach to our Christian life and faith.
2. The work of doing away with our old ways (or “mortification of sin,” to use an older term) is a very serious one, or Paul wouldn’t have used the image of “putting to death.” It is clear that a lot is at stake, and drastic measures are needed. In our desire for a gentle or non-threatening faith, we are losing an important part of the New Testament reality.
3. Though Paul talks here about “earthly nature,” he is not suggesting that our “spirits” are understood to be in competition with our bodies. Rather, it is when we become carried away by “worldly” ways that we get into trouble. Our bodies can be used to glorify God or to dishonour God (see especially 1 Corinthians 6:20). Our bodily nature is not the problem. Our bodies will be resurrected, after all. The problem is sin.
4. Our consciences need to be formed by the Word of God. Right and wrong are not self-evident. Our consciences are not fully reliable guides on their own, because our consciences are misshaped by the ways of our culture. This is why in the verses that follow, Paul lists the various kinds of behaviour that either dishonour or honour God.
5. Although all of this may seem like a lot of work, it is worth it because it leads us to life (Romans 8:13). This may refer to eternal life, but it is quite likely the emphasis also includes a fuller experience of our true life in Christ now. We can grow to maturity or we can be stunted in that growth. It depends in part on our decision to “put to death” our sinful ways. This is a kind of death that leads to true life.
Questions for Discussion
1. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. This passage reminds us of both the grace of God in saving us from sin and the good work that God has given us to do. The Christian life is an active pursuit, not a passive one. In Colossians 3:5, after telling us who we are in Christ, Paul tells us to get to work in putting sin to death.
a. Which of these two elements of the faith have you most often paid attention to?
b. Would you say that you have been more passive or active in the work of rooting sin out of your life?
c. Would you see yourself generally as having a more passive or active approach to your faith? Discuss.
2. The image of “putting to death” is pretty intense. Explore the following passages: Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24; Matthew 5:27-30.
a. How do these passages strike you when you read them?
b. What might lead us to shy away from verses and ideas like these?
3. When you think of the words “earthly” or “worldly,” what do you understand them to mean?
a. If we are to avoid worldliness, what will this involve?
b. Read John 17:14-19, where Jesus discusses these matters. How should Christians relate to the world?
4. If we are going to please God, we need to be taught God’s ideas of right and wrong.
a. What parts of Scripture can we turn to in order to learn what God wants in terms of our behaviour and morality? How well do you know these parts of the Bible?
b. What are some of the other influences that shape our ideas of morality in day-to-day life?
c. How might you take steps to give more attention to God’s ideas about life?
5. Sometimes it is hard to give up habits and attitudes that we know are displeasing to God.
a. What steps do you think a person might take in order to make progress in this area and start practicing the things that are pleasing to God?
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