Thursday, March 26, 2009

Colossians 3

Been too long since I could focus my mind and energies to be able to properly reflect upon what the Bible has to teach and write it down. It is a joyful thing to return to it once again!

Colossians 3:
3:1-25 Christian mindsets and attitudes

This is not a lazy cop-out! Let's see you try and divide up a chapter when Paul just continually talks about different mindsets and attitudes that Christians should reject or hold onto.

After spending 2 chapters talking about Christ compared to the heresy the Colossians were facing, Paul now gives instruction for why Christians should think differently and how they should think. He starts with the "why" right away.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (v.1-4)

This passage echos of Matthew 6:20-21:
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

After spending the time that Paul has explaining the glory and benefits of Christ, it is not hard to realize that if we really understand these things, our minds will be focused on that which is greater (Christ), brings us the most pleasure (Christ), and that which our hearts are set on (Christ) as our treasure. This is indeed the logical response to such glorious knowledge about Christ (Christ). It is also the natural and normal thing to have happen if indeed our sinful natures are crucified with Christ and we have in fact been raised with Christ. Our old vices should be traded for new virtue.

Therefore, we "put to death" those vices listed in v.5: "sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry". Because of these, the wrath of God is coming (v.6). More vices appear in v.8-9- "anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language"- and we are instructed to put on the "new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator." (v.10) Again, since we are in Christ, there is renewal and regeneration taking place, and the tangible result of that will be a renewed lifestyle where the vices continue to die and the virtues continue to grow and become blessedly and joyfully evident in our lives.

There are these things we Christians like view as big sins, and things we tend to hold onto as pet sins. These listed seem to fall into the pet sin category. Let's really reflect on it for a sec, because I know how easily these things get into my heart; especially the malice part. Even getting enraged over things is not a mark of new birth, you don't have to literally kill someone to commit murder in your heart. Countless times I have been driven to frustration and bitterness by other Christians, mainly because of the spreading of false teaching. But my job is always to maintain my relationship with Christ and be as Godly as I can be. This brings the most benefit to the church, whereas malice and anger hurt the people I am around, and focusing on what Christ has done for me will keep me repentant and humble as I reflect on the example of forgiveness that He has shown me that I MUST take as my own standard. This is the standard given in v.13b.

In verse 12, Paul begins listing the virtues he hopes to see as fruit of the Colossians having been born again.

"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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (v.12-14)

There is not much I can say about these, except that these qualities in increasing measure is a pursuit that will take the rest of my life, and I will always be able to come back to these verses to check myself.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (v.15)

I'll take that verse and run with it. I don't really have to do much exposition on this stuff do I? It really speaks for itself. The peace of Christ, peace for living in, stemming from the fact that we have the most important peace of all; peace with God, that comes from Christ's death. You see the appropriateness of Paul saying the "peace of Christ"!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (v.16-17)

Instruction for behavior as a community; as the body of Christ. I want to point out that he mentions admonition, followed by thankfulness (he has now mentioned thankfulness twice in three verses; make a note). We should be thankful for those who can admonish us in wisdom, especially those that patiently bear with us as they see us mess up and don't give up on us, but gently guide us. We should humbly receive rebuke from such men and enjoy the fruit that it will produce!

"Wives, submit 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." (v.18-21)

Guidance for Christian households. I know my parents used the verse about embittering children to make the point that not only did we as children have a responsibility to respect them, but they had responsibilities to us as well in regards to their handling of us. I could go on into the husband/wife relationship dynamic, but that's not really somewhere I want to go in this exposition. Suffice to say that there is plenty more Paul says elsewhere, and it is a broad topic, but this shows the overarching theme that the husband should be the head of the household, but hold his wife in the highest esteem. Let us not forget that leadership in any form, beyond the marital, is action, not a position. He has the position of leadership, yes, but that is a responsibility and all call to action on his behalf, not just a call to obidience for the wife.

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win 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 men, 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 his wrong, and there is no favoritism." (v. 22-25)

I also don't want to stop and defend the point that Paul is not, in fact endorsing slavery; he is merely explaining to slaves a righteous way to behave in their present lot in life. But verse 23 provides us all with advice. Work as if for the Lord, "whatever you do." Employees for bosses, anyone serving anyone else, spouse for spouse, etc. Work as if you are working for the Lord, and not for men, because we are. In every situation, we still represent Christ by our actions. Do we represent Christ well as a listless worker, who is "as vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes"? (Proverbs 10:26) Or when we show apathy to our assignments? Yes, we are to be heavenly minded, but let us remember that we are Christ's ambassadors, and our actions speak volumes to those who never pick up the Bible. A slave's master may have only the slave to bring him the message of salvation, and a slave who keeps that attitude in the forefront of his mind is surely a blessed man and an example for many. The exhortation Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 7 to husbands and wives with unbelieving spouses could apply here. Who knows if you will save your master?

Alright, done with that one, finally. Chapter 4 is the thrilling conclusion, with a twist you will never see coming!!! Not really, someone leaked the ending into a book about 1900-2000 years ago and the surprise has been spoiled ever since. Lame.