Colossians 3 - Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly

Colossians 3:3-4

COMMENTS: Our hope is not in anything of the earth, even physical life itself; because our faith is more precious than physical life; but the glory of heaven is promised to the saints of God through Christ. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (Joh 14:6 AV) "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Ga 2:20 AV) "And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Ga 5:24 AV) "9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:" (2Ti 1:9-10 AV)

Colossians 3:5-7

COMMENTS: We must continually die to the old nature, and allow the Holy Spirit to renew us until our redemption is complete. Faith in Christ should prevent us from returning to those things that are done continually by those who know not Christ. Before the grace and mercy of our Savior Christ Jesus transformed us, we were part of that group, regardless of what form our transgression took. And how important to realize our sinfulness, because those who think they are righteous cannot be saved by the one who came to save sinners! "Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness." (Ps 119:36 AV) "21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Mr 7:21-23 AV) "But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mt 9:13 AV) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Ro 5:8 AV) "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;" (Eph 5:3 AV) "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy." (Pr 28:13 AV) "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." (Ro 6:17 AV)

Colossians 3:8-9

COMMENTS: Paul provides a "short list" of things to avoid, because saints have put off the old nature; and it is good for us to review such Biblical lists, because our sinful nature is very deceitful, allowing us to quickly return to our old ways. And certainly those in the world around us will mock and ridicule our efforts to avoid the very things they desire. "22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation {conduct} the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Eph 4:22-24 AV) "1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you]:" (1Pe 4:1-4 AV)

Colossians 3:10-11

COMMENTS: As saints, we are made in the image of our creator, by our creator, and therefore we should make no deprecating distinction among any saints, regardless of how they seem to differ in human origin or social background. All of us have the unparalleled benefit of His grace and mercy, and can make no boast of what we have accomplished in righteousness through our own effort. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Ps 51:10 AV) "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Ro 12:2 AV) "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day." (2Co 4:16 AV) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Tit 3:5 AV) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Ga 3:28 AV)

Colossians 3:12-14

COMMENTS: As the elect, or chosen, and beloved of God, make a conscious decision about your own behavior, and then demonstrate through action, an affection for brothers and sisters in Christ, which in turn demonstrates your love of God; remembering above all to be forgiving through love because of the greatness of God's forgiveness towards you. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect <1588>? [It is] God that justifieth." (Ro 8:33 AV) "But ye [are] a chosen <1588> generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1Pe 2:9 AV) "[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" (Ro 12:10 AV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," (Ga 5:22 AV)

Colossians 3:15

COMMENTS: Be grateful, thankful, and appreciative of what the Lord has done for you, because the peace He gives is not transitory nor of minor significance. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name." (Ps 100:4 AV) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (Joh 14:27 AV) "The word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)" (Ac 10:36 AV) "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Php 4:7 AV) "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Ro 15:13 AV)

Colossians 3:16-17

COMMENTS: As we read and study the word of God, His word becomes part of our thoughts to be displayed through our speech and actions in daily living; and by the transforming power of the word, we realize that all is to the glory of God, not ourselves. This we proclaim in the name of Jesus. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Ps 119:11 AV) "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience." (Lu 8:15 AV) "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;" (Ro 10:8 AV) "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1Co 1:10 AV) "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (Eph 5:20 AV)

Colossians 3:18-22

COMMENTS: All saints are called to a life of submission to authority, and to one another in love, in the family, and in all other aspects of corporate interaction. "21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" (Eph 5:21-25 AV) "Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;" (1Pe 3:1 AV) "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." (1Pe 3:7 AV) "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." (Eph 6:1 AV) "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Eph 6:4 AV) "Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;" (Eph 6:5 AV)

Colossians 3:23-24

COMMENTS: As we continue to mature as saints in faith, whatever we do should be done as if directly done for our Lord, Christ Jesus, and not to impress those around us. We are in fact his servants, and we serve him by serving others. "Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." (Mt 6:2 AV) "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." (Mt 6:16 AV) "7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free." (Eph 6:7-8 AV)

Colossians 3:25

COMMENTS: Through Adam, all inherit death by sin ["Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Ro 5:12 AV)], and the only remedy is to receive the gift of life by faith in Christ, the last Adam who provides the life-giving spirit. God is not a man that he should be influenced, and there is no gift to be given to the creator of all that exists because it is already his. "Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do [it]: for [there is] no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons nor taking of gifts." (2Ch 19:7 AV) "34 Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Ac 10:34-35 AV) "For there is no respect of persons with God." (Ro 2:11 AV) "5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." (Ro 4:5-8 AV)

--- REFLECTIONS IN PRAYER ---

Because you have chosen me to be holy and beloved to you, I want to be eager to have this behavior to others: sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient; with tolerance to forgive, remembering that the Lord has forgiven me far more than I will ever need to forgive another. Guide me Lord, to use love to bind all these things together in perfection, that I may express thankfulness that you have called me to be part of your body. As your peace rules my thoughts, may the word of Christ dwell in me richly as I teach others or am taught. And may the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs be a rich melody of grace in my heart unto my God. Whatever I do, in word or in deed, I want to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Thank you Lord for establishing a pattern for the family and for all who serve under authority as workers, because following this pattern is pleasing to you. Wives are to submit to the authority of their husbands, and husbands are in turn to love their wives and not to treat them harshly. Children are to obey their parents, and as parents exercise their authority, they should be cautious not to provoke the children and cause discouragement. Slaves should always obey their earthly masters; and not only while being watched, as if merely to please people; but with sincerity of heart in the fear of the Lord, who is the real master. Whatsoever a saint does, should be done heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord we shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: we serve the Lord Christ. The unjust shall receive for the wrong they do, without respect to their position in the world. May the word of Christ dwell in me richly, that I might be serving you in whatever I do, and offer all up as a sacrifice of praise. Amen.

Bible Studies for the other 3 chapters of Colossians