Colossians Chapter 3
READING GUIDE
Before diving into this reading guide I’d urge you to take the next few minutes and read Colossians chapter 3 (or even the entire book of Colossians) all the way through. This will give you a better overall picture of whats going on in this chapter. Then go back with this guide and use this to help highlight some major themes and verses in this chapter and apply them to your own life!
A Higher Calling
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.
- Colossians 3:1-3
As Christians we find ourselves living in a weird paradox. We are called to engage with and reach our “world” (our culture, our neighbors and our community) and in the same breath be separate from it. Resulting from this paradox we’ve seen some unique sects of Christianity arise; from the prosperity movements that promote accumulation of wealth and possessions as a sign of God’s blessing to other who refuse the use of things such as electricity and internet.
I believe as Christians we have a mandate to bring the good news of Jesus and the Kingdom of God “on earth as it is in heaven.” To completely disengage with our culture would be to ignore great commission to go into the world and make disciples. So how do we reach a culture without becoming more and more like the culture?
By setting our minds and our hearts on the truths of heaven! The bible says that as christians, though we live, breathe and operate in this world the fruit that our lives produce is meant to point to a greater reality: The Kingdom of God. We have died to the rule and
To Move Forward You Have To Leave Somethings Behind
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
- Colossians 3:5-10
The call to be a Christian is not for the faint of hearts. You’ve heard some people describe the need for “God” or “religion” as a crutch for those too weak to do life on their own. I would actually argue just the opposite. We see here in Colossians 3 that Paul encourages believers that if they’re going to walk out this faith that they now claim, not everything in their life is allowed to go with them.
The call to be a follower of Jesus is one where every day that you wake up you have to make a conscious decision to leave behind sinful patterns in your life as you embrace new Godly ones. This isn’t an overnight process. It may take some time and that’s where God’s grace comes in. However, because of the price that Jesus has paid, you are no longer your own which means if you really want to follow Him and allow Him to change your life, not everything can come with you.
That bitterness that might be hiding in your heart because of someone who betrayed you…you have to forgive.
That anger towards a friend or parent who wasn’t there for you when you needed them most…you have to let it go.
That relationship you have where you’re living together and sleeping together before you’re married…it’s time to accept the call to a higher standard in your sexuality and relationships.
Leaving old things behind can be hard. But it’s worth it. The more you let go of in your pursuit to be more like Jesus the more and more like Him you become. The more you’re willing to leave behind the more available you are to embrace the call and promises of God on your life. God is a good God and while everything He has for you may not be EASY you can be assured that they’re always GOOD!
What are some things in your life that God might be asking you to leave behind in pursuit of something better? Maybe write some of these things down and pray for God to give you the vision and the strength to step forward into the new life He has for you, leaving the old things behind!
Something New To Step Into
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.While the call to be a Christian does involve leaving somethings behind, it’s more about stepping into the new that God has for you
- Colossians 3:12-14
While the call to be a Christian does involve leaving old habits and sinful patterns behind you, it’s much more about stepping into and embracing the new that God has for your life. Paul encourages the church of Colossae that when they leave their sinful life in the past there is a new nature that you can begin to take on. One where compassion conquers bitterness. Kindness conquers harshness. Humility triumphs over pride and gentleness and patience become the new lens we view the world through.
This however does not come natural. If you’ve been walking with Jesus for more than 5 min you realize that you don’t just wake up a new person. You have to actively choose daily to pursue these things until they start to become second nature (your new nature in Jesus). That’s why Paul tells us to clothe ourselves in these; meaning to actively put them on every day.
Somedays you’re gonna crush it. Some days you’re gonna fall short. The goal of the Christian life isn’t one of perfection necessarily (Jesus did that on our behalf), but to continually grow daily into the image and the likeness of Jesus.
A New Normal
And whatever you do, whether in world or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him
- Colossians 3:17
When you encounter Jesus it changes everything. Christianity isn’t something that’s participated in on a Sunday, or attended in a building with other likeminded people. It’s who you are at your very core, and who you’re continuing to become.
So often times we find ourselves “sectioning” certain parts of our life off due to stress or pressure to conform to the norm. It’s easy to get caught up in this circle, of being a Christian when it’s appropriate and being more “neutral” or “politically correct” when the life Jesus has given you might not be well received. But Colossians tells us that this can’t be the case. Whatever we do, no matter what that is: being a banker, a personal trainer, a waiter, a student, a friend, a sibling, a son or daughter, no matter what we do it is now done through the lens of Jesus.
What about you? Do you find pressure to conform or downplay what Jesus has done for you in certain situations? If so what are they? Pray that God would give you the courage to show jesus in whatever you do!
A New Order
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.
- Colossians 3:18-15
This is a passage that causes so much controversy and confusion. Some people see this passage as a source of male dominated oppression, some as justification for slavery, and some like to just gloss over this and pretend it isn’t in there. A lot of times when it comes to passages such as this, what tends to happens is we loose sight of the forest for the trees. As explained in the Bible Project video (which hopefully you watched on the main page) the goal of this passage isn’t to elevate men over women or to justify any type of servanthood. I believe that Jesus was and is one of the most empowering figures for both women and those of lower cultural status. So what is the point of this passage?
First, we can’t ignore that for whatever reason, a “biblically ordered home” is something that the bible talks about and encourages. That wives should honor and submit (simply meaning yield to and align with) their husbands and husbands should love their wives. I want to make something clear here: This is not saying that women across the world need to yield to men or that all women need to be subject to men. It is so imperative to remember that this passage is in the context of MARRIAGE and the HOME. There has been a lot of unnecessary damage done when people take these verses out of context and apply them in broad strokes. Also, I’d like to point out that what this looks like in real life differs from home to home. What God is asking for isn’t a stereotype model marriage where women stay at home raising kids, cooking and cleaning and men work, mow the lawn and hang out with the guys. THAT IS A CULTURAL STEREOTYPE AND NOT SOMETHING THE BIBLE PROMOTES. Husbands and wives have the freedom to flesh out the practicalities of their own homes however they want as long as wives are honoring and aligning with their husbands and husbands are loving and honoring their wives.
Why is this so important? Well, while I can’t claim to be an expert in this by any means, I have a guesses as to why God cares so much about the relationship between a husband and a wife:
Loving unity is what all Christians are called to. We see so much relational disfunction when it comes to culture and our world and I believe there’s no better model for what Christian love should and can look like than one modeled between a husband and a wife.
One of the strongest pictures God gives us for His love for us is that of a husband and a wife. Jesus is called the groom, the husband, to all of those who follow Him. We give our lives to following Jesus, allowing His will to triumph over ours, and trusting His leading, knowing that He has our best in mind. In turn we (male and female) the global church is His bride. The one He laid His life down for, leading with love and kindness and grace. God passionately cares about marriage and the relationship of a husband and wife because that is the image He gives us for His love for us.
Second, the picture that Paul is painting here isn’t one of male dominance in the home but of Jesus as the head of the house. In that culture men had the rule of the home with no accountability. Paul is telling us that if you’re married, Jesus is the head of your home and you’re accountable to Him. If you’re single and want to remain that way the rest of your life, guess what? Jesus is the head of your home and you’re accountable to Him. If you’re divorced or have been harmed by relationships, Jesus is the head of your home and He leads with love and grace and mercy!