Colossians 3:1-11; Psalm 93

Colossians 3:1-11
In chapters 1 and 2, Paul taught us that Christ is supreme and in Him was all the fullness of God. Since we have Jesus we have all we need for this life and for eternity. Now he turns specifically to how this knowledge should affect our lives. "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Thank about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." vv. 1-2  We "died" to this life, and our real lives are hidden with Christ in God. This means that we should have as little desire for worldly (particularly sinful pleasures) things as a dead person would have. We should try to look at everything from God's perspective and adjust our values accordingly. Someday, when Christ is revealed, we will share in all his glory. vv.3-4

As we look ahead to eternity, Paul gives us advice on how to live now. He begins with examples of things we should NOT do--things we should eliminate from our lives. This is not intended to be a complete list, but examples of kind of things that we as Christians should get rid of.

• sexual immorality
• impurity
• lust
• evil desires
• greed (this is idolatry)
• worship of things in this world
• anger
• rage
• malicious behavior
• slander
• dirty language
• lying

Paul reminds the Colossians that they used to do these things when they were still part of "this world." But now they, and we, are to "put them off" in the same way we might remove a coat or other garment. Then we are to "put on" our new nature, and be renewed as we learn to know our Creator and become like him. In this new life, we are all truly created equal. Race, ethnic background, gender, station in life, economics, etc.--none of these matter to God. "Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us."

Next time we will look at a list of examples of things we should do!

Psalm 93
This psalm tells us some things about the nature of God. He is King! He is robed in majesty and armed with strength. His throne has stood from time immemorial. He has existed from "everlasting past." I think eternity past is an almost impossible concept for us to understand, but the Bible says it's true. God is mightier than anything we can imagine. Floods, pounding waves, the violent raging of the seas may be some of the strongest things we can imagine, but God is mightier than these. His royal laws cannot be changed; and His reign is holy forever and ever. Surely He is Someone we can trust.