1.21 blog

Only after Chapters  1 & 2 in his letter to the church at Colossae does Paul begin to apply the gospel to the lives of his readers. This week 1.21 Church is looking at Colossians 3:1-10, (please read before going on). In this text God teaches us through Paul’s writing that the good news of Jesus changes every aspect of a believers life. He shows that this gospel has many implications, that these implications play out in everyday life.

Many times we like to apply things that we have not learned yet. Paul, though, fills the first half of this letter with who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done. In doing so, he shows us that the only way we can apply the Word of God to our lives is by first seeing who Jesus is and what he has done. He begins by showing the only viable alternative proposal to legalism: instead of giving us principles to live by, or ways to change our behaviors, Paul reminds us of who we are in Christ. He tell us to stop thinking so much about ourselves, and our behavior (“earthly” things), and instead to set our minds on Jesus, and what he has done.

He shows this in greater detail at the end of the text when he describes us putting off the old man (what we have received from Adam – sin), and putting on the new man (what we have received from the Second Adam – righteousness ). He gives those who are trusting in Jesus a list of things to kill; explaining that these things (such as anger, sex outside of marriage, slander, wrath)  are inconsistent with who Jesus is, and are therefore of no value to a believer. He instructs us to kill them and put them away. They bring a bad name to Jesus, and they are inconsistent to who we are in Christ. Paul is not just telling them what they’re lives should be like. He’s calling them to live the lives that they’ve already been given in Christ. If you belong to Jesus, you have the same calling.

1. What does applying the bible look like for you?
2. How do you normally handle your own spiritual growth?
3. When friends come to you for counsel, do you give them good advice or the good news of Jesus?
4. Do you have friends that can help you see the implications from the gospel?